BULLDOGS STORM BACK TO FORCE OVERTIME AT HOME, FALL TO DARTMOUTH, 75-72, SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Nov. 28, 2010

BULLDOGS STORM BACK TO FORCE OVERTIME AT HOME, FALL TO DARTMOUTH, 75-72, SUNDAY AFTERNOON

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Freshmen Mary Kate Tierney (Rochester, N.Y.) and Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) combined to score five clutch points in the final minute of regulation to force overtime but the Bryant University women's basketball team could not hold off Dartmouth in the extra period as the Bulldogs fell, 75-72, Sunday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.

Down by five and with less than a minute to play in regulation, Tierney stepped back and

Sophomore Meredith Soper scored 18 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds against Dartmouth for her third double-double of the season.

drilled a shot from beyond the arc to put the Bulldogs within a basket, 60-58. Following a missed jumper by Nicola Zimmer, Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.) grabbed the rebound and dished a pass out to Bailey, who raced down the court and muscled in a short jumper to tie the game. Bailey then picked off a Dartmouth pass to give the Bulldogs the final shot but her 3-pointer fell short, sending the game into overtime.

The overtime period opened with both teams trading early baskets but five consecutive free throws by Brittney Smith and a Zimmer layup gave the Big Green a 69-62 lead at the two minute mark. From there, Bailey netted a pair of layups and Krista Ferrentino (East Longmeadow, Mass.) crashed the offensive glass for an impressive putback shot while the Big Green continued to get to the line for three more free throws.

The Bulldogs found themselves down 72-68 with 50 seconds to play but Lindsey Hudspeth (Mount Laurel, N.J.) took advantage of a Big Green turnover, picked up the loose ball in Dartmouth territory, and drilled a deep 3-pointer pull the Bulldogs within one point.

Hudspeth's 3-pointer was the last field goal of the game for either team as a trio of free throws from Zimmer was enough to give the Big Green a strong enough lead. Soper was able to knock down a foul shot of her own to set up another Hudspeth trey but the final shot fell short, giving Dartmouth the 75-72 victory.

Soper paced the Bulldogs with 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and second in as many games. The sophomore made 5-of14 from the floor including 2-of-5 from 3-point land and also added a pair of assists.

Ferrentino enjoyed a breakout performance for the Bulldogs, netting 12 points and 11 boards for her first career double-double. The rookie was 5-of-9 from the field and led the team with five offensive rebounds.

Sophomore Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) chipped in 13 points for the home squad and came away with six boards, three assists and five steals for the all-around performance.   

As a team, Bryant shot 37 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Big Green by a margin of 52-49.

The Big Green had three players reach double digits, including Smith who led her team with 20 points and also grabbed 13 rebounds for the double-double. Zimmer was close behind with 18 points and Cassie Cooper added 12 for Dartmouth, which took 38 free throws in the contest.

The Black and Gold next travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. on Dec. 3-4 when they take part in the Air Force Classic.