Bulldogs rout Red Flash, 79-54

WHITTINGTON'S 24 LEADS BRYANT TO 79-54 VICTORY OVER RED FLASH SATURDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Leading the entire way, the Bryant University women's basketball team picked up a much needed 79-54 victory over Saint Francis University Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.

Bryant (11-17, 7-10 Northeast Conference) held a 63-45 lead at the under eight media timeout as a stellar first half from the Bulldogs was the difference in the contest. In the final minutes the Bulldog lead tetered around 17 points but the Black and Gold remained in the driver's seat as they picked up a huge 79-54 victory.

Senior guard Kate Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) led the Bulldogs with a game-high 24 points (4-of-8 from long range), six assists and two steals. Classmate Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) put up a season-high 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while junior Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) hauled in 21 rebounds to go along with her 10 points. Freshman Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) posted a career-high 13 points and seven boards and graduate student Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.) finished with eight points and four rebounds off the bench.

Rebecca Starks, Alexa Hayward and Rebecca Keegan each finished with nine points to lead the Red Flash. The visitors shot just 28 percent from the field in the contest, including a 16 percent clip in the first half.

Bryant put up a 44 percent shooting clip, outrebounding the Red Flash, 54-32. The Bulldogs also posted a season-high 22 assists as a team, besting their previous high of 17.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 9-0 advantage to start the contest, with some strong defensive play not allowing Saint Francis (15-13, 10-7 NEC) to get on the scoreboard until the 14:30 mark of the opening frame. After a pair of Red Flash baskets, another run of 10-straight points by Brant extended the hosts lead to 15 points, 19-4, with just over eight minutes remaining until halftime.

The final minutes of the first half brought more stifling defense from the Bulldogs as Saint Francis could not get anything going offensively. The Black and Gold held a 23 point (largest of the game) edge, 38-15, heading into the locker room.

Whittington led all scorers with 11 points (3-of-6 from deep) and four assists while Douglas put up 10 points and eight boards in 19 minutes. Ankoma-Mensa snatched a whopping 11 rebounds to go along with her six points as well. The Red Flash shot just 16 percent (5-of-32) from the field, including just 1-of-10 from behind the 3-point arc.

Out of the break, the Red Flash went on a 10-2 run, cutting the defecit to 15, however the Bulldogs quickly responded with a trio of buckets to push their advantage back to 20 points, 46-26, with just under 16 minutes left in the contest.

Both teams traded baskets through the 13 minute mark, thanks to some stellar shooting from Whittington, as the Bryant lead remained a comfortable 19 points, 57-38, with 11:41 remaining on the clock.

The Bulldogs will have just one day to prepare for their season finale against Robert Morris on Monday (7 p.m.). A win over the Colonials would ensure Bryant the 8th and final spot in the Northeast Conference Tournament.

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