Holloway, Bravo lead Bulldogs past Brown on opening night

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senior Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W. Va.) and sophomore Trinity Bravo (Bridgeport, Conn.) both recorded double-doubles and the Bryant University women's basketball team held on for a 45-44 victory in a defensive slugfest against in-state rival Brown on Tuesday night.

Holloway finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds, Bravo had 11 points and 12 rebounds but the Black and Gold had to hold their breaths as Brown missed a shot at the buzzer. The Black and Gold held Brown to just 18 second half points and won the game despite not hitting a three-point shot.

GAME INFORMATION
Bryant 45, Brown 44
Records: Bryant 1-0, Brown 0-1
Location: Pizzitola Center (Providence, R.I.)

Key Moment

• Leading by one late in the fourth quarter, Bravo turned a pair of offensive rebounds into two baskets to push Bryant out in front by four.

How it Happened

• Bryant jumped out to an early thanks to six quick points from Holloway. The Bulldogs forced Brown into six turnovers in the first quarter and led 14-11.
• The Bears were able to tie the score up on a three from Lexi Love with 5:36 left in the half. Love then made a layup in traffic to give the Bears a 22-20 lead. It started a 7-0 run that put the Bears up 24-20 with 4:12 left.
• Bryant would respond to tie the game, knotting the score at 24-24 as freshman Nicole Gallagher (Foxboro, Mass.) grabbed an offensive rebound and was able to put it back up and in with 3:17 left.
• It would be the last field goal of the half for the Black and Gold, however. The Bulldogs would go 0-for-3 from the field and turn the ball over three times on their final six possessions.
• Bryant started the third quarter slow as well but used an aggressive defense to hold Brown scoreless for over five minutes. Meanwhile, the Black and Gold did enough on offense to regain the lead, 31-30, on a pullup jumper from Bravo.
• It was a dominant third quarter for Bryant's defense as the Bulldogs held Brow to 3-for-13 shooting and three turnovers.
• The Bears gained some lifeway three minutes into the fourth quarter with two quick buckets but Gallagher's put back with 6:17 left stunted the momentum and gave Bryant a 40-39 lead.
• Bravo then turned a pair of offensive rebounds into four points to push Bryant's lead to 44-39.
• The lead would go to 45-41 before McKenna Dale hit a three to bring Brown within a point with 1:23 left.
• The Bears then had a chance to take the lead but Dani Short missed two free throws with 40 seconds left.
• Bryant and Brown then traded turnovers in the final 10 seconds, with Bryant's turnover giving Brown a chance to win the game with 3.4 seconds left. The final shot, however, fell short.  

Stats

• Bryant finished the game 16-of-57 (28.1%) from the field, 0-for-11 from three and 13-of-17 (76.5) from the stripe.
• Brown finished 19-of-58 (32.8) from the field, 6-of-25 (24.0) from deep and 0-of-7 from stripe.
• The Bulldogs outrebound Brown, 46-41.
• Bryant turned the ball over 22 times, while Brown turned it over 20 times.
• Holloway finished with 13 points (5-of-15 shooting) and 13 rebounds.
• Bravo added 11 points (5-of-11 shooting) and 12 rebounds.
• Gallagher posted 11 points and five rebounds in her first-career game.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 8-6 all-time against Brown.
• Holloway posted her 37 career double-double.
• Bravo posted her first-career double-double with career-highs in points and rebounds.
• It is the first time since Jan. 26, 2019 that two players finished with a double-double.
• Bryant finished without a three pointer for the first time since Dec. 30, 2013 at Columbia.
• Tonight marked the first time both teams scored under 50 points since last season's 49-48 loss at Sacred Heart. The season opening victory also marks the lowest scoring game between both teams since 2012 when the Bulldogs edged out Maine, 44-40.
• This is the second year in a row that the Bulldogs won their season opener by one. Last year Bryant beat UMass Lowell, 58-57. 

Up Next

The Bulldogs open their home schedule when they host New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center. Tip is set for 1:00 p.m.