BRYANT TOPS ADELPHI IN 2007-08 SEASON OPENER, 68-63
November 15, 2007
BRYANT TOPS ADELPHI IN 2007-08 SEASON OPENER, 68-63
The Bulldogs sophomore Kelsey O'Keefe scores career-high 33 points in win 
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THE 2007-08 BULLDOGS |
GARDEN CITY, NY - Led by a career-high 33 points from sophomore standout Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.), the Bryant University women's basketball team trumped Adelphi University, 68-63, in its season opener Thursday night on Long Island.
O'Keefe, who was also a team leader on the court last year as a freshman, went 5-for-7 from the line and 13-for-18 from the field in a breakout game to prove that for her, there is no such thing as a sophomore slump.
But Thursday night's contest was the first of the season for both sides, and the score was tight the whole way through, boasting 19 lead changes and 12 ties.
Neither team led by more than two points through the first 13:38, when Adelphi went on a six-point run that the Bulldogs whittled down to one to enter halftime down, 33-32. O'Keefe and Panther guard Mary Lepore led the game with 10 points apiece entering the second frame.
After the break, the Panthers came out looking to end Bryant's night early and went up by eight with 13:03 left to play, 46-38. But the Bulldogs climbed back with six-straight points from O'Keefe to even the score at 46-46. The lead changed hands seven more times - thanks to two consecutive treys from O'Keefe - the next 6:30, before Bryant went on a run of its own, initiated by a Courtney Schermerhorn (Lowell, Mass.) steal.
Then with 4:33 remaining in the game, the Bulldogs took a lead they wouldn't relinquish, winding the clock down to a 68-63 final.
Thursday's contest was marred with fouls, particularly on the part of the Panthers, who edged the Bulldogs in whistles, 26-19. And while it gave Bryant a distinct advantage from the line - the Bulldogs sunk 18-of-31 free throws - Adelphi was more accurate, adding 13-of-19 freebies.
O'Keefe's 33-point night was complemented by a game-high eight boards and a 2-for-4 mark from downtown in 32 minutes on the floor. Junior Cara Johnson (Endicott, NY) led the Bulldogs with three steals and went 3-for-4 from the field to contribute seven points in a team-high 34 minutes.
Sophomore Adrienne Mayshar (West Boylston, Mass.) was the only other Bulldog to register double-digit points (10), while junior guard Lisa Manetta hit 5-of-7 treys and went 2-for-2 from the line to lead the Panthers with 17 points.
Bryant next travels to Saint Anselm on Tues., Nov. 20 before returning to Smithfield, R.I. for its 2007-08 home opener on Nov. 25.