Bulldogs fall to Colonials, 73-62, Saturday in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite double doubles from both senior Naana Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, Ont.) and sophomore Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio), the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to league leading Robert Morris, 73-62 , Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.

With the loss, Bryant (13-13, 8-7 Northeast Conference) drops the season series to the Colonials (17-9, 13-2) while Robert Morris further solidifies its top spot in the NEC standings.

Rucker led the Bulldogs with 18 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes while Ankoma-Mensa put up 14 points and 15 boards in the loss. Senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) added 12 points and dished out eight assists while sophomore guard Tiersa Winder (Baltimore, Md.) finished with 12 points in her first start of the season.

Robert Morris saw six players hit the double figure mark, led by 14 from Anna Niki Stamolamprou, 12 from Artemis Spanou, 11 from Ashley Ravelli, and 10 apeice from Cassie Oursler, Rebeca Navarro and Jolie Olingende.

The Colonials took advantage of a sluggish start from Bryant, opening up a 16-8 edge just over eight minutes into the contest. The 9-1 run since the 12:58 mark granted the visitors a 12 point lead, their largest of the game, at the under-eight media break.

A Schissler 3-pointer finally snapped the run, sparking a 10-2 Bryant streak, which brought the Black and Gold within just four, 23-19, with just over four minutes remaining until halftime. Robert Morris closed the first half with yet another run to take a 30-21 lead into the locker room.

Winder put up seven points in 16 first half minutes to lead Bryant while Ankoma-Mensa had six and 10 at the break. Stamolamprou paced the Colonials with seven points, while Ravelli and Spanou each added six apiece.

The second half opened with the two teams trading baskets but Bryant still found themselves on the wrong end of a nine point differential, down 39-28, with just over 15 minutes remaining on the clock. The next five minutes brought more of the same action with some inspired play by Rucker keeping the Bulldogs alive, despite trailing, 47-38, with just over 10 minutes left.

Bryant then went on to open a 14-4 run, cutting the deficit to just four points, but once again Robert Morris answered back with a huge 3 from Ravelli to push the difference back to seven, 53-46, at the under-eight media break.

The Colonials responded right on schedule to increase their edge back to double-digits, 65-52, at the final media break of the game. The visitors held on to their 10+ point lead through the final ticks of the contest, eventually pulling out the 73-62 victory.

Bryant will look to snap its two-game skid Monday when they host Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. for Senior Day.

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

Due to technical difficulties, today's men's basketball game between Bryant and Central Connecticut scheduled for 4 p.m. will not be broadcast on NECFrontRow.com. Fans can still stream the game live on CoxSportsOnline.com and listen to the game on WOON 1240 AM and BryantBulldogs.com.