Bulldogs top Bears, 81-58, to earn first win

BRYANT EARNS FIRST WIN OF 2012-13 ON SEASON HIGH 81 POINTS

Photo Gallery

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Led by a career night from junior forward Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.), the Bryant University women's basketball team topped Brown, 81-58, Wednesday night to earn its first victory of it's 2012-13 campaign.

Schissler led all scorers with a career-high 20 points, all of which coming in the second half of play. Junior Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) registered her second double-double of the year, putting up 11 points and a whopping 17 boards (one rebound shy of her career-high) in the victory.

The Bulldogs posted 81 points (48 in the second half) while shooting 58.2 percent from the field, both season highs. That marks the most points scored by the Black and Gold since Nov. 14, 2010 against Lafayette. Even more impressive was Bryant's defense, which held Brown to just 29 percent shooting from the floor.

Senior Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) and graduate student Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H) both chipped in with season-highs, recording 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Lauren Clark led the Bears with 16 points and six boards, while Sophie Bikofsky finished with 14 points.

The Bulldogs came roaring out of the gates with four-straight baskets without a single miss, matched with their stellar defense, the visitors were able to hold the Bears scoreless through the opening four minutes of Wednesday's contest.

Bryant's aggressive play on the defensive end of the floor held Brown to just  a single point through the second media break, while hot shooting by the Black and Gold inflated the advantage to 12-1 at the 11:54 mark.

Brown continued to struggle from the field, being held without a field goal for more than half of the opening period.

Bryant's balanced scoring attack proved successful though the half, extending its lead to 23-13 with seven players knocking down baskets in the opening half. Brown junior Lauren Clark single-handedly kept her team in the game, knocking down a pair of three-balls late in the frame.

In perhaps the Bulldogs' best half of basketball this season, Bryant held the hosts to just 22 points and 21 percent shooting from the field (single half season-highs) in the first 20 minutes of action. Ankoma-Mensa led all scorers with nine points and seven boards at halftime.

In the second frame, the Bulldogs picked up right where they left off, extending their lead to 40-24 through the 17 minute mark.

Bryant pushed the tempo, controlling the pace throughout the first 10 minutes of the final frame, jumping out to a 55-37 lead at the 11:15 mark. Schissler and Douglas accounted for 18 of the Bulldogs' first 22 points of the half, rattling off 14-straight between the two at one point.

Both teams traded baskets into the final minutes of the second period, but Bryant was able to maintain their double-digit advantage through the end of Wednesday night's action.

The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday against Columbia in the first leg of a doubleheader at the Chace Athletic Center. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

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