Bulldogs top Wagner, 65-47, for first NEC win

ANKOMA-MENSA'S FOURTH-STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLE LIFTS BRYANT TO 65-47 WIN OVER WAGNER

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Paced by the fourth-straight double-double from junior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.), the Bryant University women's basketball team defeated Wagner, 65-47, Monday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

After holding a 26 point advantage at the 16:17 mark of the second half, Bryant allowed a 12-0 Seahawk run that spanned 8:27 to bring the visitors within just 14 with eight minutes to play.

The Bulldogs (5-12, 1-5 NEC) eventually stopped the Wagner (3-14, 1-5 NEC) run, pushing the edge back to 20 points, 54-34 with just over four minutes remaining in the contest.

Bryant maintained its double-digit advantage through the final buzzer, snapping its eight-game skid to notch its first Northeast Conference victory of the season.

The Black and Gold earn their first win of 2013, and more importantly their first victory of NEC play in convincing fashion.

Ankoma-Mensa led all scorers with 20 points to go along with her 11 rebounds and six steals for her fourth-straight double-double (10th this season) and third-straight 20-point effort. Junior Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) put up 15 points and four assists while freshman Tiersa Winder (Baltimore, Md.) added 13 points and six boards in her second start of the season. Junior Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) chipped in with nine points and four steals, while freshman Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) and graduate student Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.) each finished with four points to round out the Bryant scorers.

Freshman Jordyn Peck posted 16 points to lead Wager, while classmate Ebony Jennings put up 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Bryant shot a shade under 49 percent for the game, while the visiting Seahawks posted a 31 percent shooting clip. The NEC-leading rebounding Bulldogs outboarded their opposition, once again, snatching 37 boards, compared to just 33 for Wagner.

Still searching for their first NEC victory of the season, the Bulldogs came roaring out of the gate, jumping out to a 12-4 advantage nearly five minutes through Monday evening's contest.

 The Black and Gold continued their tough defense, causing turnovers and getting easy baskets on the offensive end, extending their lead to 14, 24-10, through the seven minute mark.

Bryant closed the first frame on a 20-4 run as the Bulldogs headed into the locker room with a lead for the second-straight game, leading 36-14 at the break.

Bailey and Winder lead the hosts with eight points apiece, while Ankoma-Mensa put up five points, five boards and five steals in the opening period. Peck paced the Seahawks with eight points and three rebounds, playing all 20 minutes in the half for the visitors.

To open the second half, the Bulldogs picked up right where they left off in the first behind another strong game from Ankoma-Mensa, opening up a 46-20 advantage just four minutes into the final frame.

Bryant will have a few days to prepare for LIU Brooklyn when they Blackbirds come to Smithfield on Saturday in the first game of a Bryant basketball doubleheader, Saturday afternoon. Tip is set for 1 p.m.

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