Schissler puts up 23 and nine in 75-65 loss at Maine

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite another double-double effort from senior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.), the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to Maine, 75-65, Saturday evening at the Cross Insurance Center.

Senior Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) led all scorers with 23 points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds and five assists. Graduate student Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.) was equally impressive putting up 15 points (12 in the first half), nine boards and five assists, while Ankoma-Mensa posted her second double-dip of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Senior Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) was solid despite some foul trouble finishing with eight points and five dimes.

Maine finished with four players in double figures, led by Ashleigh Roberts' and Sigi Koizar's 16 points apiece. Sophie Wekstrom pitched in 14 points off the bench and Anna Heise put up 11 points in just 19 minutes of play.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early advantage on the road thanks to some sharp shooting in the opening minutes, holding a 14-4 edge at the 13:01 mark  of the first half. Bryant continued to hold the lead through the four minute mark until a Milica Mitrovic 3-pointer at the 2:01 mark put the Black Bears up for good.

The Black and Gold did not quit, however, cutting the Maine lead to just three points, 67-64, with 2:06 remaining in the contest but could not find the basket for the remainder of the game, falling, 75-65.

With the loss, the Bulldogs drop to 1-2 overall through three games, while Maine stay unbeaten at 2-0. Bryant will look to get back to .500 on Wednesday when they welcome Brown to the Chace Athletic Center for a 7 p.m. tip.

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