Bulldogs look to fend off Pioneers in Smithfield Saturday at 1 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's basketball team returns home to host Sacred Heart on Saturday at 1 p.m.

GAME NOTES

THE SERIES
This contest marks the 16th meeting between the Bulldogs and Pioneers with the series in Sacred Heart's favor, 12-3.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Pioneers enter Saturday's contest on a one-game winning streak, after defeating Wagner, 70-56, on the road. Sacred Heart is amongst three NEC teams, sitting 3-1 to begin conference play, alongside Bryant and Saint Francis Pa. The Pioneers opened the league slate with a 10-point win over Robert Morris, before defeating Saint Francis Pa. by the same margin.

The Pioneers and Bulldogs post similar numbers, but statistically Bryant should win the battle on the boards, as they average 7.3 more rebounds per game than its opponents, while SHU gives up 9.4. The Pioneers take care of the ball, coughing it up only 14.1 times per game in comparison to the Bulldogs' 20.9.

SHU is led offensively by Preseason All-NEC selection Hannah Kimmel, who averages 14.5 points per game. Senior Adaysha Williams and red-shirt sophomore Katherine Haines also average double-figures, averaging 11.0 and 10.3 points per contest, respectfully.

LUCKY NUMBER FOUR
The Bulldogs have won three straight games this year on two occasions, but have not put four together since the 2015-16 season. Their most recent streak includes wins over LIU Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary's and LIU Brooklyn.

CONFIDENCE BUILDER
Rookie Masey Zegarowski exploded onto the scene on Monday in Bryant's road win at Fairleigh Dickinson, scoring a team-leading 14 points off 5-for-8 from the floor. The freshman previously held a career-high three points, but after knocking down back-to-back threes in the third quarter to give Bryant a one-point lead, Zegarowski seemed to settle into a scoring role. The guard also finished 2-for-4 from three and the line, respectfully.

BREAK TRAILING AT HALFTIME CURSE
After starting the season 0-4 when trailing at the break, the Bulldogs rallied from a one-point halftime deficit to beat Fairleigh Dickinson, 56-48, on the road.