Breanna Rucker and Ivory Bailey recognized as NEC Elite
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In just its third postseason eligible season as a member of the Northeast Conference, the Bryant University women's basketball team has certainly made its mark on the league as junior Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio), Player of the Year, and freshman Ivory Bailey (Wyomissing, Pa.), Rookie of the Year, combine for half of the league's major postseason awards.
Announced Friday morning via Twitter, Rucker was recognized as the NEC's top dog for her tremendous play all year as the backbone of the Bulldogs during their historic 2014-15 campaign, while Bailey's dynamic athleticism and ability to play on both ends of the floor elevated her as the best young player in the league.
Rucker, who put together one of the most complete seasons in Bryant's Division I era, became the first Bulldog to earn NEC Player of the Year and All-NEC First Team honors in program history. The junior forward ranked sixth in the league scoring at 16.0 points per game and first in rebounding at 11.4 boards per contest (10th in the country), while her program record 21 double-doubles this season are the fourth most in the country and tied for the sixth most in the NEC since 2000. Rucker eclipsed the 20-point margin five times throughout the year and grabbed 13+ boards on 10 occasions in just 29 games, earning NEC Player of the Week honors twice. Her 463 total points thus far this season ranks second most in DI program history (Kelsey O'Keefe – 472, 2008-09) and her 332 rebounds are the third most in a single season since Bryant joined the Division I ranks.
Not to be outdone, Bailey wasted little time establishing herself as one of the most dynamic players in the league during her first season donning the Black and Gold. Emerging onto the scene in just her first collegiate game, Bailey dropped a season-high 24 points and grabbed seven boards vs. Maine on Nov. 14, setting the table early for a historic rookie campaign. The freshman averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assist per game, while her unique mix of athleticism and dead-eye shooting made her a major matchup problem for opponents. Bailey eclipsed the double-digit scoring mark 15 times, scoring 20+ on three occasions en route to a league-high six NEC Rookie of the Week awards.
Rucker, Bailey and the rest of the Bulldogs will look to continue their historic season when they host seventh-seeded Mount St. Mary's in the NEC Quarterfinals Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center.