Bulldogs fall flat vs. Wagner, 78-64, Monday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite nearly all five starters reaching double-digits, the Bryant University women's basketball team suffered just its third loss at home this season, falling to Wagner, 78-64, Monday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Bryant (12-11, 7-5 Northeast Conference) had plenty of chances but was unable to regain its early advantage as Wagner (6-17, 5-7 NEC) picked up its first-ever win against the Bulldogs in program history.

Senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) led the Black and Gold with 20 points and five assists in 29 minutes of play while classmate Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) added 11 points and eight boards. Graduate student Meredith Soper (Winthrop, Mass.) rounded out the Bulldog double-digit scorers with 10 points and six rebounds in 40 minutes of action.

Senior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) chipped in eight points and eight boards and sophomore Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) finished with nine points and six boards.

Freshman Jasmine Nwajei (25) and sophomore Jordyn Peck (23) combined for 55 of Wagner's 78 points with Nwajei adding nine rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals in the victory. Lyndsay Rowe added 13 points in 40 minutes of play while Laura Amorosa finished with eight points and four boards.

Points were difficult to come by for both teams early on, but the Bulldogs found themselves up, 20-19, with 8:01 to play thanks to Winder 3-pointer despite being down six just minutes earlier. The Seahawks closed the half on a 19-7 run thanks to some great play from Neajei on both ends to take a 38-27 lead into the locker room.

Nwajei led all scorers at the break with 17 points, eight boards and four assists, doing a little bit of everything for the Seahawks. Ankoma-Mensa put up six for Bryant to go along with five apiece from Soper and sophomore Tiersa Winder (Baltimore, Md.). The Bulldogs turned the ball over 13 times in the opening frame compared to just seven Wagner turnovers.

After a sluggish finish to the first frame, Bryant opened up the second half with a little more energy on the defensive end, going on a 12-4 run to cut the Wagner edge to just three points, 42-39, with just over 16 minutes remaining in the contest.

The Seahawks eventually settled down, building their lead back up to eight points, 49-41, until a 7-1 run by Bryant brought the hosts within a bucket with 9:21 left on the clock. However, in fitting fashion, the visitors weathered the Bryant attack and pushed their lead back up to eight once again, 59-51, not allowing the Black and Gold to get over the single-digit hump.

The Black and Gold continued to fight but were unable to get stops when they needed them most, eventually falling to the Seahawks, 78-64.

Bryant will have four days to regroup and prepare for its game at Fairleigh Dickinson, Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.) in Teaneck, N.J.

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