Bulldogs take Mountaineers to OT, fall short 86-84

ANKOMA-MENSA PUTS UP THIRD-STRAIGHT DOUBLE DOUBLE IN 86-84 LOSS TO MOUNT ST. MARY'S

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite having the final possession of the game, the Bryant University women's basketball team came up just short, 86-84, to Mount St. Mary's in an overtime thriller at the Chace Athletic Center, Saturday afternoon.

Both squads traded baskets toward the end of regulation as junior Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) continued to be a presence in the paint, but strong second half play from Sydney Henderson put the visiting Mountaineers up, 71-66 with just over two minutes to play.

Selina Mann knocked down a pair of free throws at the 1:39 mark to grant her team a 73-68 lead, just before a huge 3-pointer from Katie Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) brought Bryant with a basket.

After another bucket from The Mount, Ankoma-Mensa put in her ninth basket of the afternoon off a pass from a driving Tiersa Winder (Baltimore, Md.) to cut The Mount advantage to just two, 75-73 with 40 seconds remaining.

After a miss by the Mountaineers, Whittington stepped up to the charity stripe and knocked down two freebies to tie the score, 75-75, with just 25 seconds to play.

On the final possession, Mount St. Mary's missed their initial shot but The Mount controlled the rebound and found Henderson on the baseline for the go-ahead basket with 3.3 seconds left.

Bryant inbounded the ball to senior Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) who was fouled at mid-court. Douglas stepped up to the line and hit two free throws to knot the score at 77-77 to send the game to overtime.

In extra time, the Mountaineers struck first, jumping out to a 79-77 advantage but an Ankoma-Mensa free throw cut the visitors' edge to just one. A bucket by Kayla Grossett pushed the lead to three, 81-78 with just over three minutes to play.

Both teams traded baskets through the two minute-mark as the Mountaineers' edge remained at three, until a layup by Mann put Mount St. Mary's up, 85-80 with just over a minute to play.

The Bulldogs answered right back with a Douglas jumper, bringing Bryant with three with 52 seconds left. After a Mountaineer turnover, Whittington knocked down a pair from the line giving the visitors a one point lead, 85-84 with 20 tickets remaining.

Ankoma-Mensa led all scorers with a career-high 27 points to go along with her 20 rebounds and three blocks. Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) added 18 points and six assists in 28 minutes of play, while Douglas put up 13 points off the bench.

Henderson led The Mount with 21 points (20 in the second half), while Mann finished with 17 points, seven boards and five assists.

Despite the loss, Bryant put up a season-high 84 points on 44 percent shooting from the field. Mount St. Mary's shot an impressive 57 percent, missing just 25 shots through the entire game. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle, once again, out-boarding their opponents, 42-30, including 23-7 on the offensive end.

Bryant will have just one day before they welcome the Wagner College Seahawks to Smithfield on Monday evening. Game time is set for 5 p.m.

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