Bulldogs begin season tomorrow vs. Iona

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant Univeristy women's basketball team will open the 2021-22 season tomorrow at home against Iona. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.

The Particulars
Opponent: Iona
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Tuesday, Nov. 9 – 5 p.m. 
Watch: NECFrontRow
Live Stats: Sidearm
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | 

THE SERIES
The Bulldogs are 2-1 all-time against the Gaels, with both wins coming at home. Last season Bryant defeated Iona 62-46 on December 4th. Brooke Bjelko posted a double-double of 29 points and 16 rebounds in the win.    

SCOUTING THE GAELS
Last season Iona finished with a 6-9 overall record. Junior Juana Camilion, who led the Gaels last season in points with 12.7 ppg is returning to the team for her junior season.

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Bryant Athletics announced revised COVID-19 policies for the upcoming basketball season. Indoor masking is NOT required for fans to attend games at the Chace Athletic Center, however, masking WILL BE REQUIRED for all fans and game personnel sitting within six feet of the basketball court.  This includes all courtside ticket holders, scorer's table and personnel, and media members. All unvaccinated spectators are required to wear a mask at all times. 

NEW TO THE CHACE ATHLETIC CENTER
Fans at the Chace Athletic Center will be treated to a few new additions from the last time they were able to attend in 2019-20. State-of-the-art Daktronics video boards are now installed in the arena, with one on each end of the court. Fans will be treated to new in-game entertainment and high-quality video board content. 

Also, fans 21+ will be able to purchase beer at all home men's and women's basketball games this year. 

WHAT TO KNOW

• Head Coach Mary Burke is set to begin her 31st season as head coach of the Bulldogs. Burke ranks fifth all-time among the longest active NCAA WBB tenured coaches in the country.
• Graduate Bjelko returns to the team, after her career year last season. Bjelko lead the NEC in ppg (15.9) and RPG (9.1) and was named to the All-NEC first team.
• The Bulldogs have five new players on the roster this season. Kemari Reynolds, Marta Neira Martinez, Jessica Berens, Dana Kiefer, and Megan Bodzion all joined the team during the off-season.
• Redshirt Sophomore Shannon O'Connor was selected captain by her peers for the upcoming season. O'Connor posted career-highs in games played (19), starts (8), and ppg with 5.1 last year.
• Sharpshooter Alana Perkins looks to build off of her sophomore season, where she recorded a .340 3P% and averaged two three-pointers a game. Both marks ranked fourth and fifth in the NEC.
• Nicole Gallagher led the conference in MPG and ranked 17th nationally with a mark of 37.6.
• In her first season with the Black and Gold, Fatou Jallow averaged 1.6 APG and dished out six assists in back-to-back games against St. Francis Brooklyn.
• This will be the first game since the 2019-20 season where the Bulldogs will play in front of a crowd at the Chace Athletic Center.