Posted: Dec 11, 2009

BULLDOGS HIT THE ROAD FOR FIRST-EVER MATCHUP WITH NEC FOE LONG ISLAND

December 11, 2009

BULLDOGS HIT THE ROAD FOR FIRST-EVER MATCHUP WITH NEC FOE LONG ISLAND

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - After falling to Binghamton on Monday evening, the Bryant University women's basketball team returns to Northeast Conference action on Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y. when it faces off with Long Island University at 2 p.m. in the first-ever matchup between the two programs.

BULLDOGS DROP MONDAY'S MEETING WITH BINGHAMTON, 75-59
Despite a valiant second half effort from the Bryant University women's basketball team, Binghamton's huge first half was enough to defeat the Bulldogs, 75-59, on Monday evening at the Chace Athletic Center.

Binghamton's (2-5) Erica Carter was the highlight of the night as she poured in a career-high 35 points in the Bearcat victory. Carter netted 27 of her 35 in the first half. She finished 13-18 from the field and hit a school-record nine three-point shots.

In the first half, the Bulldogs (3-5) were led offensively by senior Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, N.Y.). Mraz had eight points in the first two and a half minutes of the game to give Bryant the early 10-2 lead.

Binghamton, who plays in the tough America East Conference, proceeded to outscore Bryant 39-15 in the last 15 minutes of the half, including a 28-6 run to close out the first period. In the half, the Bearcats shot 66.7 percent from the field.

The Bulldogs picked up the defense in the second half forcing eight turnovers and six steals while holding the Bearcats to only 25 percent shooting.

The second half spark came from freshman Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.), who had a team-high seven rebounds, netted 12 points, recorded one block and one steal in only 19 minutes of play. The Boston native was aggressive when she got in the game and helped bring the Bulldogs back to within 13 points. However, just when it seemed the Bulldogs were beginning to climb back in, the Bearcats found their stroke again and cruised to the 16 point victory.

Bryant shot 42.1 percent from the field, but went only 6-16 (37.5%) from the charity stripe.

SCOUTING THE BLACKBIRDS
Despite leading by as many as 6 points over St. John's on Thursday evening, Long Island fell to 6-4 on the season at the hands of the Red Storm, 78-64. Junior Chelsi Johnson led three Blackbirds in double figures with 20 points. Sophomore Ashley Palmer, a pre-season all-conference player, netted 18 points for the Birds as the team shot 47.4 percent. In the NEC, Johnson and Palmer are currently ranked sixth and eighth in scoring, respecitively. LIU as a team also leads the NEC in scoring, averaging 69.1 points per game.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Through the first eight games, Bryant is leading the Northeast Conference in rebounding margin averaging 8.2 boards more than their opponent. The Bulldogs also sit in first place in rebounding offense averaging 44.4 per contest. Bryant has also hit 53 three-pointers through the first eight games, good enough for a first place tie in the NEC. Junior Siamone Bennett is currently ranked first in the conference in offensive rebounds, as she has accumulated 36 for an average of 4.5 per game.

O'KEEFE MOVES INTO 3RD PLACE ALL-TIME
With a layup just 1:26 into the Bulldogs 82-74 victory at Colgate on Tuesday, senior captain Kelsey O'Keefe passed Stephanie Ladd for thrid place all-time on the Bryant scoring list. O'Keefe now has 1,428 career points. O'Keefe added 14 rebounds to record her first double-double of the season and the 25th of her career.

LIVE ACTION
Follow Sunday's game live by clicking the "Live Stats" or "Audio" links at the top of the page.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will have a full week off before hosting Lehigh University on Sunday, Dec. 20. The Mountain Hawks are currently 7-2 on the season. The game will be played at the Malcolm Chace Athletic Center with tip-off slated for 2 p.m.