BULLDOGS SET TO COMPETE IN AIR FORCE CLASSIC THIS WEEKEND, BEGIN WITH HOST FALCONS FRIDAY AT 5:00 P.M.

Dec. 2, 2010

BULLDOGS SET TO COMPETE IN AIR FORCE CLASSIC THIS WEEKEND, BEGIN WITH HOST FALCONS FRIDAY AT 5:00 P.M.

Game Notes

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – The Bryant University women's basketball team kicks off December with a trip out West to Colorado Springs, Colo. this weekend for the Air Force Classic. The Bulldogs will first take on host Air Force on Dec. 3 at 5:00 p.m. followed by Weber State on Dec. 4 with tipoff at 2:00 p.m. Texas State will also participate in the tournament and each game will be played at Clune Arena (6,000).  

THE SERIES

The Air Force Tournament will mark the first meeting ever between Bryant and Weber State while the Bulldogs will take on Air Force for the second time ever. The two programs first met during the 1992-93 season when both were members of Division II with Bryant coming up with a 74-64 victory in a neutral site game in Melbourne, Fla.

BRYANT LAST TIME OUT

Freshmen Mary Kate Tierney and Jenniqua Bailey 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.

Meredith 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. Krista 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 chipped in 13 points for the home squad and came away with six boards, three assists and five steals for the all-around performance.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS

Air Force is 3-4 on the season after a pair of home wins over Colorado Christian and Texas Southern. The Falcons, members of the Mountain West Conference, are averaging 65.6 points per game and allowing 66.9 ppg. Senior Raimee Beck leads the squad with 14.2 points per game while sophomore Dymond James is the team's top rebounder with 7.6 boards per game.   

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS

Weber State is 1-2 on the season after defeating San Jose State and falling to Utah and Utah State. The Wildcats, members of the Big Sky Conference, are averaging 56.3 points per game and allowing 59.3 ppg. Sophomore Amanda Hughes is leading the team with 13.3 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game while senior Caitlin Anderson is also scoring in double digits with 11.7 ppg.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The Bulldogs have had no trouble putting points up on the board this season as the team leads the Northeast Conference in scoring with 65.2 points per game. Individually, Meredith Soper ranks sixth in the conference with 13.2 ppg while Siamone Bennett is 12th (11.2 ppg).  

PICKPOCKETS

In five games this season, the Bulldogs lead the NEC with 11.0 steals per game. Leading the way is sophomore Danielle Douglas, who ranks first in the conference with 2.6 thefts per game, including a season-high five steals against Dartmouth.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

With 18 points and 15 rebounds, Meredith Soper recorded her third double-double of the season against Dartmouth Sunday afternoon. The Boston native also enjoyed double-double performances at Lafayette (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Brown (10 points, 10 rebounds). Siamone Bennett and Krista Ferrentino also have double-doubles this season in games against Maine and Dartmouth, respectively.

ALL WE NEED IS A SECOND CHANCE

The Bulldogs scored 16 second chance points as a result of 16 offensive rebounds against Dartmouth. In five games this season, the Bulldogs have scored 79 second chance points, outscoring their opponents by a margin of 79-50 in that category.

UP NEXT

Following the Air Force Tournament this weekend, the Black and Gold head back out on the road for their first Northeast Conference game of the season when they face Fairleigh Dickinson at 7:00 p.m.