Bryant edges out FDU, 55-47

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's basketball team edged out Fairleigh Dickinson 55-47 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a playoff spot in the Northeast Conference post-season tournament. 

Senior Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W.Va.) posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds while freshman Nicole Gallagher (Foxboro, Mass.) led the Black and Gold in scoring with 13.  

GAME INFORMATION
Bryant 55, Fairleigh Dickinson 47
Records: Bryant (9-18, 7-9), Fairleigh Dickinson (11-16, 8-8)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

KEY MOMENT

• Brooke Bjelko (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) led a dominant third quarter with six points as the Bulldogs pulled together a 16 point lead to head into the final quarter.
• The Knights fought back hard in the fourth quarter, holding the Bulldogs to just five points before intentionally fouling with 20 seconds left. The Bulldogs were able to hold off the Knights down the stretch.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bulldogs held Fairleigh Dickinson scoreless for the first 9:16 of the game until a layup made the score 6-2 at the end of the first frame.
• The scoring picked up in the second quarter as six Bulldogs scored to help bring the lead to 23-15 going into the half.
• Bryant came out strong in the second half, going on an early 13-6 run to finish the third quarter, which helped them grow to a 16-point cushion.
• The Knights wouldn't go down without a fight as they made a 9-0 push to open the fourth quarter and get within nine.
• With under a minute to go, the Knights lobbed the ball over the top of the Bryant defense for an and-one to pull within four.
• Forced to foul, FDU put Gallagher on the line in two-straight possession and the rookie drained four-of-four in the final stretch to end the game, 55-47.

STATS

• Gallagher led with 13 points with a perfect eight-for-eight clip from the charity stripe.
• Holloway posted a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds.
• Both Taty LaFrance Boyce (Norwich, Conn.) and Bjelko added eight points apiece.
• Bryant grabbed 20 points from the foul line alone shooting 20-for-25 from the stripe.
• The Bulldogs outrebounded the Knights, 48-30.

GAME NOTES

• Holloway's double-double is her ninth of the season and 45^th of her career.
• LaFrance Boyce matched her career-high of eight rebounds.
• The Bulldogs have outrebounded their opponents by double-digits in six of their last seven games.
• Bryant grows to 16-6 all-time against FDU with a perfect 2-0 sweep this season.

UP NEXT: Sacred Heart
Bryant hosts a rematch against Sacred Heart in the Chace Athletic Center on Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. for Senior Day.