Bulldogs drop first road test to URI

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO URI 65-50 DESPITE SCHISSLER'S CAREER-NIGHT

KINGSTON, R.I. – In a game that included eight lead changes and seven ties, the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to the University of Rhode Island, 65-50, Tuesday night in Kingston, R.I.

The Bulldogs (0-2) held a 42-39 lead with ten-minutes to play in the second half, but a 19-0 run by URI (1-1) lifted the Rams to the 15-point win.

Junior Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) had a career-night, pouring in a game-high 18 points and snatching a game-high 12 rebounds (both career-highs). Classmate Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) chipped in with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Freshman Tayra Melendez led the Rams with 18 points (12 in the second half), while Samantha Tabakman registered 12 points and 10 boards.

The Bulldogs held their Rhode Island-rival scoreless for almost the first five minutes of the contest, jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead before the first media break.

Schissler continued to be a menace on the boards, racking up six rebounds in the first eight and half minutes of play. Bryant was able to get out in transition early, putting up A 13-7 advantage in the opening ten minutes of the contest.

A barrage of put-backs and jumpers from URI's Symone Bullard help the Rams even the score at 13-13 at the 8:05 mark in the first frame.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.) and Schissler extended the Black and Gold's lead to six, before URI's Lara Gaspar cut it to four with just under five minutes remaining in the first half.

Both teams traded baskets before the Rams went on an 8-0 run to grant themselves a 28-24 advantage heading into the locker room.

Despite shooting just 24 percent from the field in the opening half, the Bulldogs got to the line five more times than URI, knocking down 7-of-12 from the line, while the Rams were just 1-of-7 from the free throw stripe.

Schissler led all scorers at the intermission with 10 points and eight boards, Ankoma-Mensa  right behind with four points and six rebounds.

The Rams came out of the locker room looking to extend their four-point lead , but Bryant quickly responded answering the home squad and taking the 35-33 lead on seven-straight points from junior Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) and Schissler. URI freshman Tayra Melendez brought the score back to even with her fifth point of the half at the 14:36 mark in the second half.

The Bulldogs built up a three-point lead (42-39) at the ten minute mark, however a 19-0 run by the Rams put the hosts up, 58-42, at the 3:28 mark.

The final push put URI up for good, earning the Rams their first victory of the season.

Bryant will stay on the road over the weekend, heading to Ohio for matchups against Akron on Friday night and Youngstown St. Sunday afternoon.

For all the latest on the Bryant University women's basketball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.