Posted: Nov 24, 2009

BULLDOGS HOST INTRASTATE RIVAL BROWN TONIGHT AT 7 PM IN THE CHACE ATHLETIC CENTER

November 24, 2009

BULLDOGS HOST INTRASTATE RIVAL BROWN TONIGHT AT 7 PM IN THE CHACE ATHLETIC CENTER

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bulldogs return to action this evening hosting intrastate rival, Brown University, in a non-conference game looking to end this three game home-stand with a victory. This will be the second Ivy League opponent for the Bulldogs this season, who fell at Dartmouth College 57-47 on Saturday, Nov. 14th. Brown, who plays their first away game this evening, will also be looking for another win after earning their first of the season, defeating NEC affiliate Central Connecticut on Saturday, Nov. 21. The Bears fell to Providence, 83-50, in their first game of the season and lost to American University, 64-54 in their second contest. Tonight's game will be the last of three-straight at home as the Bulldogs will head out for a three-game road trip starting with a visit to upstate New York to face St. Bonaventure next Sunday (Nov. 29) and Colgate one week from tonight (Dec. 1).

BULLDOGS EARN FIRST WIN OF THE YEAR

Junior forward Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) and senior guard Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, N.Y.) each scored 10 points to help lead the Bryant University women's basketball team to a 56-47 nonconference win over visiting Lafayette College on Saturday afternoon. Bryant (1-2) shook off a sluggish start to earn its first win of the season. Leading 30-24 at the half, the Bulldogs enjoyed its largest lead of the game (41-30) following a basket inside by senior Jaime Campbell (Springfield, Mass.) with 14:09 left. Lafayette (1-3) would answer with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to cut the lead down to 41-39 following a basket by LaKeisha Wright after working hard inside for an offensive rebound. Two layups inside by Elizabeth Virgin and a three-point field goal from Melissa Downey helped key the run by the Leopards. But following a timeout, the Bulldogs would out-score the visitors 13-2 to stretch the lead back to 54-41 following a basket and free throw from Courtney Schermerhorn (Lowell, Mass.) with a little over two minutes left and Bryant would hold on from there.

LOOKING AT THE BEARS FROM BROWN

Sophomore Aileen Daniels paced the Bears with a career-high 17 points, many coming during crucial runs, as Brown earned its first victory of the 2009-10 season on Saturday, Nov. 21. Brown took its first lead of the game with just 3:33 remaining in the contest to earn the 62-59 win over the Blue Devils.

BEARS NIP BULLDOGS IN LAST YEAR'S MEETING

With 11 seconds remaining in a 62-61 game, Bryant's top free throw shooter Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.) went to the line for a pair of free throws. The first fell, but not the second, knotting the game at 62-62. However, the free-throws wouldn't be enough to keep the Bears from converting on a pair of freebies of their own with 5.1 seconds remaining as the Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaker to intrastate rival Brown, 64-62, at the Pizzitola Sports Center.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

It's early, but Bryant currently leads the Northeast Conference in scoring defense, allowing just 53.7 ppg after three games this year. The Bulldogs are also tied for first in the conference in rebounds with 133 (44 Avg/G.) and first in the NEC in made three-point field goals with 21 (7 Avg/G.).

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs head out for a three-game road trip starting with a visit to upstate New York to face St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m. and Colgate one week from tonight on Tuesday, Dec. 1.