Bryant drops tough-one at Yale Wed., 72-61

NEW HAVEN, CONN. – Despite a late rally, the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to a tough Yale team, 72-61, Wednesday evening at the John J. Lee Amphitheater.

Bryant road struggles continued Wednesday as the host Bulldogs outscored the Black and Gold, 35-26, in the second half, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process.

Senior Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) led all scorers with 16 points to go along with five rebounds and a trio of steals. Graduate student Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.) chipped in 13 points and five boards, while senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Mass.) finished with eight points and three assists in 22 minutes of play.

Sarah Halejan led Yale with 15 points, while Janna Graf and Hayden Lathan added 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Unlike its previous  three road games, Bryant wasted little time putting points on the board, jumping out to a quick 13-6 advantage less than five minutes into Wednesday's "Battle of the Bulldogs". However, Yale took the first hit and rattled off an 8-0 run to take a 14-13 lead at the under-12 media break.

The two teams traded the lead a few times over the next eight minutes until Yale took a 32-26 edge  at the 4:21 mark of the opening period. The hosts held their advantage through the final minutes of the half, bringing a 37-35 lead into the locker room.

In the first half alone, the two teams combined for 26 fouls (13-13) and 28 turnovers (Bryant-15, Yale-13).

The second half began similarly to the first, with the Black and Gold opening with a 6-0 run, however Yale regained the advantage, 44-43, at the 15:52 mark. The two teams continued to battle midway through the second half, but Yale maintained a slim, but steady 52-48 margin with 11:42 left in the contest.

The hosts extended their edge to eight points, 56-48, until a Stephanie Cardamone (Freehold, N.J.) long ball brought Bryant back within five with just under eight minutes left on the clock. Yale then opened up a 7-2 run to boost its lead to double digits for the first time in the contest.

The Black and Gold continued to fight but Yale had an answer for every push down the stretch as the hosts prevailed with the 72-61 victory.

Bryant returns to action Saturday at Canisius as they look to turn things around on the road. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

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