Bulldogs head to Youngstown St. in search of W

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CLOSES OHIO TRIP WITH VISIT TO YOUNGSTOWN ST. (12:05 PM)

Game Notes

ON TAP AT THE BEEGHLY CENTER

The Bryant University women's basketball program continues its 2012-13 campaign in search of their first victory of the season when its heads to Youngstown, Ohio, for a Sunday afternoon contest aginst Youngstown St. University. Game time is set for 12:05 p.m.

SERIES HISTORY

Sunday will mark the first meeting between the two teams in Bryant's five year Division I history. Interestingly enough, the only two teams Bryant plays in 2012-13 that they have not played in a previous season are Akron and Youngstown St.

SCOUTING THE PENGUINS

The Youngstown St. Penguins (2-0) are off to their best start in 13 years under third-year head coch Bob Bolden. The year before Boldon arrived, the Penguins went 0-30 and were losing games by an average of almost 26 points. Last season, Youngstown St. posted a 10-20 mark (4-14 in the Horizon League), and this year they are unbeaten through two games, after beating Pittsburgh and Buffalo (both on the road).

Senior Brandi Brown, an All-Horizon second teamer each of the past two seasons and a preseason all-conference first teamer, is averaging 20 points per game and 13 rebounds per game this year. In addition to Brown, freshman Shar'Rae Davis is averaging 11.5 ppg and 6.5 assists per game and junior Liz Hornberger has been averaging 9.5 points per contest.

Chosen to finish 8th in the Horizon League Preseason Coaches Poll, the Penguins have all ready started turning heads all they look to remain unbeaten through the weekend.

STILL SEARCHING

After starting off the 2011-12 campaign winning three of their first four contests, the 2012-13 Bulldogs have yet to notch their first victory, dropping their first three decisions this season to Dartmouth (Nov. 10), URI (Nov. 13) and most recently to Akron (Nov. 16). In its first season as a Division I postseason-eiligible program, the Bryant women's basketball team is averaging only 53 points per game and shooting just 30 percent from the field (both down from last season). The Bulldogs will have an opportunity to pick-up their first W on Sunday when they visit Youngstown St. (12:05 p.m.).

SCHISSLER ALL OVER THE BOARDS

Junior guard Courtney Schissler is off to a solid start through three games this season. After starting only four games and averaging just under 20 minutes a contest last season, Schissler currently leads the Bulldogs in rebounding (10 rpg) and is second in scoring (9 ppg). Despite being held to only  two points against Akron on Friday, Schissler led the Bulldogs in rebounding (9) for the third time this season. On Tuesday against Rhode Island, the junior guard registered a career-high in both points and rebounds, putting up 18 points and snatching 12 boards, while playing all 37 minutes (all game-highs).

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Junior's Naana Ankoma-Mensa and Courtney Schissler recorded Bryant's first double-doubles of the season Tuesday night against URI. Schissler led all scorers with 18 points and 12 boards, while Ankoma-Mensa put up 10 and 11 in 33 minutes of play.

BULLDOGS FALL TO AKRON ON THE ROAD FRIDAY NIGHT

Despite a valiant effort, the unbeaten Zips were too much for the Bulldogs to handle as Bryant drops its-third straight, 78-56.

The Black and Gold were led by junior Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) who finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds and freshman Maureen Leahy (Springfield, Pa.) who chipped in a career-high 10 points and 5 boards.

Akron Junior Rachel Tecca finished with a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play.

Three quick buckets by the Zips put them up 6-0 just over two minutes into the contest. The run by the hosts continued through the first media break, extending their lead to 14-0. Junior Hanna Luburgh recorded seven of Akron's first 14 points.

The Bulldogs eventually settled down with a pair of layups from Ankoma-Mensa, however hot shooting by the Zips boosted their advantage to 22-7 through the eleven-minute mark. 

Bryant's shooting woes continued through the first frame while Akron continued to dominate the offensive boards, extending their lead to 30-13, 13 minutes into the first half.

After the first 20 minutes of play, Akron led Bryant, 41-20, after shooting 41 percent from the field in the opening period. The Bulldogs shot only 7-for-30 in the half while committing 13 turnovers. Akron's Rachel Tecca dominated the opening frame, putting up 19 points and 6 rebounds in only 11 minutes of play. Senior Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) and Ankoma-Mensa led Bryant with six and five points, respectively.

The second half brought foul trouble for the Bulldogs, sending Douglas to the bench with her third personal early in the period. The Zips kept pushing the tempo, again extending their advantage to 50-24.

The Bulldogs struggled to find the bottom of the net halfway through the second frame, falling behind 59-27 with 11:49 to play.

Despite being down, Bryant never quit, fighting to the very last horn. On a positive note, the Black and Gold saw contributions from their freshmen. Not only did Leahy record a career-high in points, but Dani Anderson (Wellington, Kan.), Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Emma Sobieraski (Lockport, N.Y.) all registered their first collegiate points. The trio combined for 13 points in the final five minutes of play.

FRESHMEN FIRSTS

Friday night against Akron, four Bryant freshmen recorded milestones in their first season as collegiate student-athletes. Center Maureen Leahy enjoyed her best game as a Bulldog on Friday, potting up 10 points and five boards, both career-highs. Guards Dani Anderson and Breanna Rucker both saw their first action this season for Bryant, registering six and five points, respectively, while Forward Emma Sobieraski scored the first basket of her collegiate career, as well.

UP NEXT

After the Ohio roadtrip, Bulldogs will break for the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to action on Wednesday, Nov. 28, when they head to Brown University for an Ocean State showdown.