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Photo by David Silverman
Photo by David Silverman
Posted: Mar 10, 2013

#8 Bulldogs fall to #1 Quinnipiac, 79-55, in NEC Quarters

Video Box Score Preview
Game Leaders
Bryant
Pts: Jenniqua Bailey - 14
Reb: Naana Ankoma-Mensa - 11
Ast: 2 Players (#03, #11) - 3
Quinnipiac
Pts: 2 Players (#15, #31) - 13
Reb: Brittany McQuain - 16
Ast: 2 Players (#23, #33) - 5
Team Stats
Full stats

WOMEN'S HOOPS FIGHTS 'TIL FINAL BUZZER IN 79-55 LOSS TO QUINNIPIAC IN NEC QUARTERFINALS SUNDAY

HAMDEN, CONN. – In its first-ever Division I postseason appearance, the Bryant University women's basketball fell to top-seeded Quinnipiac, 79-55, in the opening round of the Northeast Conference Tournament Sunday afternoon at the TD Bank Sportcenter.

The Bulldogs  cut the lead to 19 points on a Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) And-one at the 7:50 mark of the second half, but for every Bryant run the Bobcats had a response knocking down timely basket, after timely basket en route to the 79-55 NEC Quarterfinal victory.

Bailey paced the Black and Gold with a game-high 14 points to go along with three steals, three rebounds and three assists. Junior Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) posted her 19th double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Danielle Douglas (Silver Springs, Md.) put up 11 points and three rebounds. Freshman Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) added eight points and nine boards and senior Katie Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) finished with seven points and three helpers.
The balanced Quinnipiac attack was led by 13 points from Felcia Barron and Samantha Guastella, while Brittany McQuain put up 11 points and 16 rebounds.
As a team, Bryant shot a game-high 42 percent, compared to just 36 percent from the Bobcats, however 22 offensive boards for the hosts, and eight 3-pointers to go along with stiffling defensve from Quinnpiac proved to be the difference.

After scoring the opening baskets of the contest, the Bulldogs were held scoreless for the next four minutes as Quinnipiac ran off a 14-0 run as the Bobcats jumped out to a 14-4 lead nearly six minutes into the first half.

The Bulldogs struggled to get in any type of rhythm offensively as the Bobcat defense thwarted any semblance of offense from Bryant. Another long run by Quinnipiac, this time 12-2, extended the host's advantage to 20 points, 26-6, but a 4-0 streak by the Black and Gold, highlighted by a Whittington deep ball, cut the deficit to 16 points with 7:38 remaining in the period.

The two teams continued to trade baskets through the final minutes of the first frame but the Bobcats had a response for every Bryant push as top seeded Quinnipiac led the Bulldogs 40-22 at the halftime break.

Whittington and Ankoma-Mensa led the Bulldogs at the half with seven and six points, respectively, while Guastella and Barron put up eight and seven points, respectively for the Bobcats in the first half. Quinnipiac dominated the glass in the opening frame grabbing 29 boards (15 offensive) compared to Bryant's 18.

The second half opened with some up-and-down action as both Bryant and Quinnipiac traded baskets through the 16 minute mark, however the Bulldogs could not get over the 20-point hump as the Bobcats held at 53-30 edge with 14:54 remaining in the contest.

The Bulldogs close the season with a 12-18 overall mark and their first-ever trip to the NEC Tournament as they overcame multiple injuries and hardships to put together one of their most solid seasons since joining the Division I ranks in 2008.

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