Posted: Dec 18, 2019

Albany visits Smithfield for Friday matchup

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – On Friday, Dec. 20, the Bryant University women's basketball team hosts Albany at 1 p.m. in the Chace Athletic Center. The first-ever clash between the two teams concludes Bryant's four-game home stretch as the last game before the New Year that will be played in Smithfield.

THE MATCHUP
Bryant rounds out its four-game home stretch with Albany on Friday, Dec. 20. The 1 p.m. showdown marks the first time in history that the two teams will meet.

SCOUTING THE GREAT DANES
Albany enters Friday on a two-game losing streak falling to both Siena and St. Francis Brooklyn earlier this month. The two-game setback totals for a 4-7 overall record.

As a team, the Great Danes hold a top rank in assists with a total of 160. The assist mark ranks them first in the America East and among the top 50 in the country. Junior Kyara Frames leads the team with 43 so far this season ranking fourth in the conference. Senior Alexi Schecter is Albany's leading offensive force averaging 14.4 a night leading the America East with a 53.6 field goal percentage. With the help of Schecter, the Great Danes average 59.5 points per game off 40.2 percent shooting from the field. Albany also ranks first in the conference in three-point shooting defense, holding its opponents to 21.3 percent from beyond the arc.

LAST TIME OUT: BROWN
Bryant fell to Brown in the second round of the Ocean State Tip-Off on Dec. 8., 56-50. Junior Brooke Bjelko (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) led the Black and Gold on the offensive end with 13 points while sophomore Trinity Bravo (Bridgeport, Conn.) led on the glass with eight boards. Senior Masey Zegarowski (Hamilton, Mass.) dished out six assists and was named to the All-Tournament team for her two-day performance.

ALANA PERKINS FOR THREE
Freshman Alana Perkins (Wauwatosa, Wis.) led the Bulldogs at Holy Cross with a career-high 21 points. The rookie netted six three-pointers becoming the first Bulldog to net six three's in a single game since Ivory Bailey in 2016. Perkins has tallied three or more three-pointers in five of Bryant's last six games. She ranks second in the conference with a 43.2 three-point shooting percentage.

ZEGA-WHO?
Zegarowski was named to the Ocean State Tip-Off All-Tournament team earlier in December. The senior guard combined for 15 points, 8 rebounds, six assists, and three steals for the weekend. Tallying an average of 31 minutes for the weekend, Zegarowski accounted for just three turnovers.