Bryant closes non-conference slate with loss to Yale, 78-65

NAANA ANKOMA-MENSA RECORDS SECOND-STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLE IN 78-65 LOSS WEDNESDAY NIGHT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite another double-double from junior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to Yale Wednesday night, 78-65.

Ankoma-Mensa led all scorers with 22 points and 13 rebounds, her eighth double-dip effort of the 2012-13 season. Tiersa Winder (Baltimore, Md.) chipped in a career-high 13 points off the bench, while adding five boards of her own.

Amanda Tyson and Sarah Halejian led Yale with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Megan Vasquez posted 12 points, seven boards and five assists.

Junior Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) recorded nine points and seven assists and senior Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) put up nine points and a pair of steals.

Yale shot over 43 percent from the field, while Bryant shot just under 37 percent for the game. The Black and Gold one the rebounding battle once again, 50-39, but turned the ball over 25 times, including 19 giveaways in the first half alone.

Paced by a pair of 3-pointers from Zenab Keita, Yale was able to jump out to an 11-4 advantage through the first media break. The Rhode Island Bulldogs struggled to find their legs offensively though the first ten minutes of the contest. Sparked by some great play on the defensive end, Bryant strung together a pair of baskets to the cut the deficit to 21-15 with seven minutes to play in the first frame.

Poor shooting and turnovers plagued both teams through the final minutes of the first half, as neither team could get into a groove offensively. Both teams traded free-throws down the stretch, with Yale leading at the break, 31-19.

Halejian led all scorers at the break with ten points and three assists, while Ankoma-Mensa led Bryant with eight points and two rebounds. Schissler chipped in with five points and four boards, while Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) added four points and a steal in the opening half.

Out of the half, both sides came out looking to attack as Bryant was able to cut the Yale lead to ten, 41-31 through the first media break of the second half. Yale weathered the Black and Gold push, extending its advantage, 48-35 with just under 14 minutes to play.

Yale continued its hot shooting, posting nearly a 60 percent shooting clip halfway through the second frame, opening the gap to 18 with 11:56 remaining in the contest.

Through the seven minute mark, Bryant continued to work, but timely shooting by the Connecticut Bulldogs kept the margin steady at 18, 62-44.

With time working against them, the Rhode Island Bulldogs, led by Douglas, cut into the Yale lead slowly but surely, but unfortunately it wasn't enough, as Yale secured a victory in their final road tune-up before entering Ivy League play.

Bryant will return to the hardwood for its third game in six days as the first leg of a doubleheader at the Chace, Saturday against Mount St. Mary's. Tip is set for 1 p.m.

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