Bulldogs host Canisius, Fri. in Smithfield

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FULL GAME NOTES

ON TAP AT THE CHACE ATHLETIC CENTER
The Bryant University women's basketball team will put its perfect 2-0 record on the line when it welcomes Canisius to Smithfield for a Friday night showdown at the Chace Athletic Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

THE SERIES
Canisius holds a 1-0 series lead on Bryant after stealing a 61-59 victory from the Bulldogs last December. The Black and Gold were down, 60-59, with two and a half minutes to play and were just unable to convert on multiple chances on the offensive end, eventually falling in Buffalo.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GRIFFINS
Selected to finish eighth in the 2014-15 MAAC Preseason Poll, Canisius enters Friday's action with a 0-1 overall record coming off a 62-46 loss at St. Bonaventure on Friday, Nov. 14. Last season, the Griffs finished 13-17 overall, going 9-11 against MAAC opponents. AlL-MAAC Preseason Second Team guard Kayla Hoohuli led the team with 10.8 points per game while junior Tiahana Mills led the team with 4.1 assists per game ato go along with 7.5 ppg.

In Friday's loss to St. Bonaventure, Hoohuli put up 16 points on 3-of-7 shooting from long range, while Mills and junior forward Crystal Porter each put up 12.

The Griffs home opener vs. Binghamton, originally scheduled for Wednesday night in Buffalo, was postponed due to a huge snow storm moving through the area.

LAST TIME OUT
Behind a 27-point outburst from senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey, the Bryant University women's basketball team took down Vermont, 72-55, Tuesday night in Burlington, Vt.

The win marks the Bulldogs' (2-0) second consecutive and is the first 2-0 start in Division I program history, while the Catamounts (0-2) drop their second game in four days.

Jenniqua Bailey led all scorers with 27 points, 12 in the last two minutes of play, on 15-20 shooting from the charity stripe to go along with six rebounds, four steals and three assists. Junior forward Breanna Rucker put up 16 and 13 for her first double dip effort of the season, while Morgan Olander finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and a career-best three blocks.

Kylie Butler paced Vermont with 15 points, while Niki Taylor chipped in 10 points and seven boards.

Bryant put together a gutsy performance to steal a win on the road against a solid team, shooting just 32 percent from the field and going 1-for-13 from long range. The Bulldogs went 37-for-46 from the free throw line, the most makes and attempts for the Black and Gold since Jan. 6, 2014 at Wagner.

2-0 AND IT FEELS SO GOOD
The Bryant women's basketball program is off to its first 2-0 start since the 2007-08 season, its last at the Division II level. The Bulldogs will look to make it 3-0 for the first time since the 2006-07 season on Friday vs. Canisius.

JENNIQUA BOUNCES BACK
After a tough shooting night in Bryant's season opener vs. Maine, senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey bounced back in Tuesday's 72-55 win at Vermont with a game-high 27 points. Bailey went 6-of-11 from the field, dishing out three assists to go along with six rebounds. But perhaps most impressive was the 15-for-20 she went from the line, both Division I program records and the most by a Bulldog since the 2000-01 season.

RUCKIN' 'N ROLLIN'
Junior forward Breanna Rucker also put together a strong effort vs. Vermont, putting up 16 points and 13 rebounds for her first double double of the season. Rucker posted 10 double dips a season ago, and now has 11 for her career.

MORE MORGAN
Sophomore center Morgan Olander has put together her best stretch as a Bulldog, averaging 12 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the first two games this season. After putting up a double double in the season opener vs. Maine, Olander followed her performance up with 12 points, eight board and three blocks vs. Vermont on Tuesday. 

MAKING 'EM COUNT
In Tuesday's win at Vermont, the Bulldogs shot 37-of-46 from the free throw line, marking the most attempts and second most makes from the charity stripe in Division I program history.

THEIF'S THEME
On Tuesday at Vermont, the Black and Gold recorded 16 steals, including seven combined thefts by Jenniqua and Ivory Bailey. The 16 steals were the most by Bryant since Jan 21, 2013 vs. Wagner.

TICKET TO THE RIDE
Single-game and season ticket packages are still available for the 2013-14 men's and women's basketball seasons. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.bryantbulldogs.com/tickets or by calling the Bryant Athletics Ticket Office at 401-519-TIXX.

CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME?
Bryant University Athletics and the Northeast Conference have partnered with Pack Network to create NEC Front Row, the home for all NEC men's and women's basketball broadcasts in 2014-15. Visit www.NECFrontRow.com for more information and a schedule of events.