Bulldogs host Blue Devils, Saturday 1 p.m.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HOSTS CENTRAL CONNECTICUT SATURDAY IN SEARCH OF THIRD-STRAIGHT WIN

Watch: NECfrontrow.com
Live Stats: BryantBulldogs.com
Follow along on Twitter: @BryantGameday

FULL GAME NOTES

ON TAP AT THE CHACE ATHLETIC CENTER

The Bulldogs open the home stretch, with the first of five remaining regular season games, as they welcome Central Connecticut for a Saturday afternoon showdown in Smithfield (1 p.m.)

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday will mark the tenth meeting between the Bulldogs and Blue Devils with Central Connecticut leading the all-time series, 5-4. Earlier this year in New Britain, Conn., CCSU topped Bryant, 59-50. The Black and Gold will look for revenge and to even the all-time series at 5-5 on Saturday. 

EARLIER THIS YEAR IN 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 scored three baskets to give themselves a 49-43 advantage. But the Bulldogs 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.

SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS

The Blue Devils enter Saturday's showdown with a 13-12 overall mark, 7-7 in Northeast Conference play. Central Connecticut currently sits a half-game ahead of Bryant in the NEC standings after defeating LIU Brooklyn Wednesday night at home, 63-54.

Senior Jaclyn Babe leads the Blue Devils in scoring at 15.8 and steals at 2.7per game, while her sister, junior Jessica Babe, tops the team in rebounding (7.0/g) and assists (4.0/g).

Central Connecticut currently ranks fifth in scoring in the NEC (60.3), fourth in points allowed (59.8) and sixth in field goal percentage (38 percent). Selected to finish in eighth in the NEC Preseason Poll (one spot ahead of Bryant), the Blue Devils remain one sport ahead of the Bulldogs in the NEC season standings.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs head to Hamden, Conn., for a showdown with NEC-leader Quinnipiac, Monday night at 7 p.m.