DOUGLAS NETS CAREER-HIGH 19 POINTS BUT BULLDOGS FALL AT FDU, 58-48, IN NEC OPENER THURSDAY NIGHT
12/9/2010
TEANECK, N.J. – Sophomore Danielle Douglas (Silver Spring, Md.) netted a career-high 19 points, including 16 in the second half, but it was not enough to keep up with Fairleigh Dickinson as the Bryant University women's basketball team fell, 58-48, Thursday night in its Northeast Conference opener at Stratis Arena.
Facing a 31-20 deficit at halftime, the Bulldogs opened the second stanza with a 14-4 run to tie the game but FDU responded with seven straight points, building a large enough lead to hold on for the victory. The 19-point performance marked the third double-digit effort in as many games for Douglas as the sophomore shot 7-for-16 from the floor. Senior Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) and junior Brittany Stahura (Amsterdam, N.Y.) grabbed 12 and 11 boards, respectively.
Mariyah Laury scored 18 points for the Knights while teammate Esther Wallace blocked seven shots as FDU shot 31 percent from the field.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead as sophomore Katie Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) had a hand in various facets of the game, starting with a steal at half court and a subsequent breakaway layup to kick off the 12-2 run. A few plays later, Whittington dished out a pair of assists to post-players Stahura and Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ontario). Sophomore Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.) completed the opening run with a 3-pointer to give the visitors an early 12-4 advantage.
The Knights fought back from there, however, hitting three straight treys to take the lead with 8:00 remaining in the first half. Led by Laury's perimeter shooting and ability to draw the foul on drives through the lane, Fairleigh Dickinson continued to find the basket. Despite a couple of late post shots from Ankoma Mensa and Douglas, the Knights entered intermission on top, 31-20.
Fairleigh Dickinson's first half success was due in large part to the 3-point shot as the Knights hit five treys in the opening stanza. Laury led the home squad with 11 points while Stahura and Ankoma-Mensa paced the Bulldogs with four points apiece. Bennett led both teams with six boards.
The Bulldogs opened the second half in strong fashion as Bennett was able to net consecutive scores to spark a 14-4 run, tying the game at 34 points apiece. The run was highlighted by thundering blocks from Ankoma-Mensa and Douglas as well as three straight scoring drives by Douglas before Soper capped it off with a couple of free throws.
With 11:32 remaining, a bucket by Alannah Driscol-Sbar broke the FDU scoring drought with a 3-pointer to open a 7-0 run. The Bulldogs responded with several strong drives to the basket by Douglas and Soper, drawing the necessary fouls and hitting the free shots. However, the home team continued to make shots and get to the line as well, holding on for the victory.
The Black and Gold return to action Saturday, Dec. 11 when they host Colgate at 2 p.m.