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SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's basketball team opens the Northeast Conference's rivalry week against Central Connecticut in the New England Knockout series as the Bulldogs welcome the Blue Devils to the Chace Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 12 for a 1:00 p.m. matchup. The Black and Gold currently stand at 8-15 on the season and 5-7 in the NEC after falling at Robert Morris, 64-45, Monday night. Fans attending are encouraged to wear pink for the Pink Out fight against breast cancer with all proceeds donated to the Gloria Gemma Foundation. Fans can also follow all the game action through live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com or a live webcast at www.bryantbulldogs.tv.   

THE SERIES
Saturday's game will be the fifth meeting between the two programs as the Bulldogs currently hold a 3-1 edge in the New England Knockout series. The Bulldogs and Blue Devils split last year's series with each team winning at home as Central Connecticut won, 73-59, on Feb. 6. Two days earlier, Bryant captured a 73-59 victory at the Chace Athletic Center as five players reached double-figures. The Black and Gold swept the first two matchups during the 2008-09 season in the program's first go-around at the Division I level. 

BRYANT LAST TIME OUT
Despite back-to-back scores from Danielle Douglas to chip the lead down to one point in the second half, the scoring attack of Robert Morris proved to be too much to handle for the Bryant University women's basketball team as the Bulldogs fell, 64-45, Monday night in Northeast Conference play at the Sewall Center.

Bryant (8-15, 5-7 NEC) was led offensively by Meredith Soper's 14 points and eight rebounds while freshman Naana Ankoma-Mensa added eight points and nine boards. The Bulldogs outrebounded the home side by a margin of 42-40 while 19 of those boards were of the offensive variety.    

Robert Morris (13-9, 10-2) was paced by the combination of Jasmine Tate, who tied a school record with eight steals and Artemis Spanou, who poured in a career-high 23 points, including 20 in the second half. As a team, the Colonials shot 47.2 percent from the floor and 60 percent from the field in the second half on 15-for-25 shooting.   

SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
Central Connecticut is 13-9 on the season and 6-6 in the conference after coming up short through the Keystone State last weekend, falling to both Robert Morris and Saint Francis (PA). Senior Kerrianne Dugan led the offensive attack with 12 points while fellow senior Leanne Crockett added nine. As a team, the Blue Devils are averaging 55.1 points per game and allowing 55.4 ppg. Individually, Dugan is the team's top scoring threat with 10.5 points per game while senior Justina Udenze averages 8.5 ppg. Crockett is the team's best rebounder with 9.0 boards per contest, ranking her second in the conference.

BLACK AND BLUE CONNECTIONS
These two programs have a lot in common when it comes to the coaching staff and it all starts at the top. Bryant head coach Mary Burke was a standout player and All-American at Providence College which happens to be one of the former coaching stops for CCSU assistant, Kerri Reaves, who spent two stints on the Friar bench. Also, Bryant assistant Mark Caruso, now in his tenth season on the Bulldog bench, is a 1988 CCSU graduate while Blue Devil assistant Glenn Senecal is a former Bryant assistant coach.   

ROAD WOES
The Black and Gold have missed the friendly confines of the Chace Athletic Center this season, as their only win away from Smithfield, R.I. was against Air Force on Dec. 3 in the opening game of the Air Force Classic. Bryant is now 1-11 overall and 0-6 in conference games when on the road, while the team sports an impressive 5-1 conference home record this winter.

ON THE OFFENSIVE…GLASS
The Black and Gold have been masters of the boards this season, ranking second in the conference in rebounding with 42.4 boards per game, just behind Long Island at 42.5 rpg, while the team tops the league with 16.57 offensive rebounds per contest. Individually, Siamone Bennett and Brittany Stahura rank first and fifth in offensive rebounds with 3.70 and 3.22, respectively.  

UP NEXT
The Black and Gold continue with the Northeast's Conference's rivalry week on Monday, Feb. 14 when they visit Central Connecticut at 7:00 p.m.