Bryant drops Wednesday night affair to Terriers

POSTGAME QUOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. –  Freshman Hannah Scanlan (Rumson, N.J.) led Bryant with 13 points and five rebounds, but the Bryant University women's basketball team fell to the Boston University Terriers on Wednesday, 78-61, at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield.

GAME INFORMATION

Boston University 78, Bryant 61

Records: Boston University 4-2, Bryant 0-6

Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

Attendance: 341

COACH BURKE'S COMMENTS

Overall, I was very disappointed with the effort today in every way possible. BU manhandled us in every way possible. We hung somewhat close in the first half and I think [the Terriers] just took it up to another notch in the second half. We gave up 27 points in the third and got beat numerous times in transition. [BU] looks like a very good program and I thought we looked like a team that is 0-6 and why we looked 0-6. I was very disappointed with the mentality and I think that being part of the program here. There is a certain level of intensity that we need to play with and I felt that we did not have that today. I was very disappointed with the effort, epically being at home. Regardless of where we are, it is not acceptable.

KEY MOMENTS

• Two 3-pointers a minute apart by BU's Tenisha Pressley ultimately ignited the Terrier offense. Presley's deep shots helped propel a 27-point third quarter by the Terriers, giving them enough cushion to hold on for the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bryant jumped out to a quick 13-7 lead over Boston University. Sophomore Stephanie Lesko (Rumson, N.J.) hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter and Scanlan added four points to fuel the Bryant offense early.
• The Terriers answered back by outscoring the Bulldogs, 17-11, in the second quarter. BU's Nia Irving scored eight points in the second quarter and did not miss a shot in the first half. She would finish with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor.
• Boston University jumped out to an 8-0 run after a 3-pointer by junior Kierra Palmer (Aberdeen, Md.) hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring after halftime. The Terriers' Katie Nelson scored two straight buckets to help propel the BU lead to 12 with 6:57 remaining in the quarter.
• Pressley hit a layup with 2:42 remaining in the game to give BU its largest lead of the night, 23. The Bulldogs would battle back thanks to 3-point baskets by junior Haley Connors (West Hartford, Conn.) and sophomore Masey Zegarowski (Hamilton, Mass.), to cut the lead to 17. Zegarowski's three was the final basket of the game.

STATS

• The Terriers shot 51.7% from the field, which was their best percentage this season. Their previous best was 49.2% in a 74-73 victory over Northeastern.
• Turnovers again plagued the Bulldogs offensively. Bryant turned the ball over 25 times, their fourth time with more than 20 in a game this season.
• Despite just 23 minutes played due to foul trouble, sophomore Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W. Va.) scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds, all in the second half.
• Bryant hit a season-high seven 3-pointers on 14 attempts. The 50% mark from long range was also a season best.

GAME NOTES

• Wednesday marked Scanlan's second game scoring in double figures, and also marked a new career high in points with 13. Her previous best was 11 points versus New Hampshire on Nov. 21.
• The Terriers scored 27 points in the third quarter, the most against the Bulldogs in a single quarter this season.
• Boston University is now 1-0 all-time over Bryant, with Wednesday's game being the first ever between the two New England universities.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs are next in action when they participate in the Ocean State Tip-Off Tournament on Dec. 2 and 3. Bryant opens the tournament when it plays Rhode Island at 2 p.m. Saturday. They will play either Brown or Providence Sunday, depending on the outcome of Saturday's games.