Bulldogs sweep Seahawks, 71-53

WOMEN'S HOOPS EARNS SEASON SWEEP OF WAGNER, TOPPING SEAHAWKS, 71-53, SATURDAY

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Led by five double-figure scorers for just the second time this season, the Bryant University women's basketball team defeated Wagner, 71-53, Saturday afternoon at the Spiro Sports Center.

Bryant's advantage ballooned to 27 points with 7:26 left on the clock as the Bulldogs stellar, second half defensive effort opened the game up. The Bulldogs allowed just 12 second-half points through almost 13 minutes of play in the final frame.

Despite a last-minute push by Wagner, the Bulldogs maintained a comfortable lead through the final ticks, picking up their fifth win, 71-53, over Wagner.

Junior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) paced the Bulldogs with 12 points, 15 rebounds and six steals for her 14th double-double this season. Senior guard Katie Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) also put up 12 points to go along with her four rebounds and three steals. Classmate Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) added 11 points and a trio of thefts, while junior Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) and freshman Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) each added 10 points (career-high for Rucker).

Wagner's Stephanie Blais lead all scorers with 14 points, as the lone double-digit scorers for the Seahawks.

The Bulldogs held Wagner to just 20 first-half points, but the Seahawks finished the contest with a game-high 40 percent shooting clip compared to Bryant's 38 percent. The Bulldogs dominated the glass, 44-32, especially on the offensive end, grabbing 16 caroms.

The biggest discrepancy on Saturday came in the turnover department as the Bulldogs forced the hosts into 27 giveaways, capitalizing on the extra opportunities, scoring 26 points off turnovers.

After a slow start by both teams on Saturday, the Bulldogs eventually settled down opening up a 16-13 advantage nearly 13 minutes into the contest. Three-straight baskets from Rucker and a Whittington 3-pointer helped push the Bryant lead to double digits as the visitors lead, 25-15, with under five minutes to play until the halftime break.

In the closing minutes of the opening frame, the Black and Gold maintained their double figure advantage, opening a 14 point edge at one point. The teams headed into the break with the visitors leading 31-20. Schissler paced the Bulldogs with eight points and three boards, while Ankoma-Mensa chipped in four points and eight rebounds. Stephanie Blais led the Seahawks with seven points.

Bryant opened an 11-4 run to open the second half, hitting four of their first five shots, opening up an 18 point advantage, 42-24, with 15 minutes remaining in the contest. Douglas went on to score seven-straight points for the Bulldogs as they held a double-digit lead, 54-30, with under 10 minutes to play.

Bryant will look to get itself back in postseason contention with a win at Mount St. Mary's, Monday night in Emmitsburg, Md. (7 p.m.).

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