WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 76-56 IN NEC PLAY
January 7, 2010
BRYANT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 76-56 THURSDAY
HACKENSACK, N.J. - The Bryant women's basketball team couldn't keep up with the fast pace of Northeast Conference foe Fairleigh Dickinson, as it was defeated 76-56 in its return to NEC action on Thursday evening in Hackensack, N.J.
A trio of Massachusetts natives were the only Bulldogs (3-10, 1-2 NEC) in double figures as senior Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.) led the way with 12 points. Sophomore Lekia Cowen (Hopedale, Mass.) and freshman Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.) each added 10 points.
The Bulldogs were outshot 55.6 percent to 33.9 percent in the game and committed a dismal 25 turnovers.
FDU (5-8, 1-1 NEC) had three players in double figures as well as Mariyah Laury poured in a game-high 26 points on 9-14 shooting including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Alyssa Mayrose and Jasmyra Saunders added 18 and 12 points respectively.
The Knights opened the game on a 21-4 run en route to a 44-18 lead at the half. FDU shot 56.7 percent and forced 17 first-half Bulldog turnovers. Cowen had eight points at the half going 3-4 from the floor including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Laury led all scorers at the half with 16 points. Mayrose added 14, shooting 6-8 from the floor for the Knights. At one point in the first stanza, FDU held a 27 point lead over the Bulldogs.
More of the same continued in the second half as FDU continued to apply the pressure. The Bulldogs displayed a better shooting performance in the second stanza as they shot 37.5 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from three-point range.
After leaving Northern New Jersey, the Bulldogs will travel south to West Long Branch for a date with the Monmouth Hawks. Bryant will then return home next Thursday, Jan. 14 when they host NEC pre-season favorite Sacred Heart in the Chace Athletic Center at 5 p.m.