Bulldogs fall short at CCSU, 59-50

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DROPS TOUGH ONE AT CENTRAL CONNECTICUT SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 59-50

NEW BRITAIN, CONN. – Despite an inspired performance on the defensive end of the floor for most of the game, the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to Central Connecticut State, 59-50, on the road Saturday afternoon.

With less than seven minutes to play, the Blue Devils (7-7, 1-2 NEC) scored three baskets to give themselves a 49-43 advantage. But the Bulldogs (4-9, 0-3 NEC) would not go away as a Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.) 3-pointer brought the visitors within a single point, 49-48, with three minutes remaining in the game.

The Blue Devils followed up a pair of missed free throws with a clutch put-back to extend their lead to three with just over a minute to play. Two Katie Whitington (Twinsburg, Ohio) free throws cut the CCSU advantage to just one but a breakaway layup from Lauren Arbogast put the home team up, 53-50, with just 33 seconds on the clock.

The Bulldogs were forced to foul down the stretch as Central Connecticut was able to cement the 59-50 victory from the free throw stripe.

Junior Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) led Bryant with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists, while classmate Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) added nine points and four boards of her own.

The Blue Devils were paced by a balanced attack as Arbogast, Kaley Watras and Kristen Daamen all put up 12 points in their first NEC victory of 2012-13.

Hinck added a solid seven points and a career-high eight boards in her first start of the season, while freshman Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) added three points and eight rebounds off the bench.

The Bulldogs shot just 27 percent from the field, including 20 percent in the second half, while the Blue Devils were slightly better at 32 percent for the game. The home team dominated the battle on the boards, snatching 53 rebounds (42 for Bryant), including 19 offensive boards for 16 second-chance points.

Both teams got off to a sluggish start on the offensive end Saturday afternoon in New Britain, Conn., as the Blue Devils found themselves up early, 8-7 nearly halfway through the first frame. Despite poor shooting, it was clear that both teams were looking to set the tone defensively.

The Bulldogs began to settle down led by strong play from Bailey as the visitors jumped out to a 17-15 advantage at the 7:05 mark of the first period.

Bryant continued its stellar defensive play extending its lead to 23-15 at one point, but the Blue Devils fought back to cut the lead to just four at the 3:30 mark.

Central Connecticut closed the half on a 6-0 run to cut the Bulldog lead, 29-26, heading into the locker room.

Bailey led Bryant at the break with nine points and a pair of rebounds while Schissler, Hinck  and Maureen Leahy (Springfield, Pa.) each chipped in four points. Watras paced the Blue Devils with a game-high 10 points.

Both teams struggled to find their stroke from the field as both teams shot below 40 percent from the field in the first frame.

Both squads came out of the locker room looking much more comfortable on the offensive end as Bryant maintained a slim but steady 36-34 lead through the first media break.

The Blue Devils took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes at the 12:10 mark, holding a 39-38 advantage through the second media timeout.

The next few possessions were back-and-forth as a deep triple from Stephanie Cardamone (Freehold, N.J.) gave Bryant the lead back at the 9:20 mark, but the two NEC-foes found themselves gridlocked, 43-43, with just 7:58 to play.

The Bulldogs will return home for a five-game stand in Smithfield starting with NEC-leader Quinnipiac, Monday night at 7 p.m.

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