BULLDOGS DROP MONDAY'S MEETING WITH BINGHAMTON, 75-59
December 07, 2009
BULLDOGS DROP MONDAY'S MEETING WITH BINGHAMTON, 75-59
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - 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.
The Bulldogs will return to action on Sunday, Dec. 13 in Brooklyn, N.Y. when they face off with NEC foe Long Island University at 2 p.m. The Blackbirds are currently 6-3 overall and 1-0 in the conference.