Team effort pushes Bryant past LIU Brooklyn

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Four members of the Bryant University women's basketball team scored in double-digits as the Bulldogs rallied past LIU Brooklyn during the first game of the conference schedule, 69-62.

Junior Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W. Va.) led with 19 points and 14 rebounds, but it was Masey Zegarowski's (Hilton, Mass.) perfect three-of-three from behind the arc that pushed the Bulldogs past LIU in the fourth quarter as the junior chipped in 16 points and four rebounds.  

GAME INFORMATION
Bryant 69, LIU Brooklyn 62
Records: Bryant 3-9 (1-0), LIU Brooklyn 1-11 (0-1)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

COACH BURKE COMMENTS

"It it all started on Monday. We had some very tough and physical practices during the last four days and I think that really carried over to today. We came out of the gate with great defense and limited Long Island to a lot of one and dones in the first half. I really feel that that passion started on Monday which was the trigger that got us started today."

KEY MOMENT

• Bryant's 9-0 run in the first quarter gave the Bulldogs the instant lead and the momentum to maintain the advantage until the second half.
• LIU Brooklyn outscored Bryant, 20-9, in the third quarter going on a 7-0 run that would eventually tie the game.
• Zegarowski hit two back-to-back three pointers with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter to regain the lead as the Bulldogs held on for the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bryant starts the game going on a 9-0 run highlighted by Holloway's first three-pointer of the season.
• LIU Brooklyn came within two after Erykah Russell hit a layup coming out of the media timeout, but sophomore Hannah Scanlan (Rumson, N.J.) hit a free throw with 4:05 to go in the first to start Bryant's 7-0 run. Bulldogs led by nine after the first quarter.
• The Bulldogs go on to score the first nine points of the second quarter, leaving LIU scoreless until the 6:27 mark.
• Holloway hit her only pair of free throws at the 5:34 mark as Bryant grew to its largest lead of 15 points.
• The second quarter showed a lot of teamwork and ball movement for the Black and Gold as Kierra Palmer (Aberdeen, Md.) dished out five assists as Bryant went into the locker room with an 11-point lead, 37-26.
• The Blackbirds showed to be more aggressive in attacking the basket to start the second half as LIU drew three fouls and scored five points during the first three minutes of play.
• With three to go in the third quarter, LIU Brooklyn went on a 7-0 run with two back-to-back three-pointers to take the lead at 44-42. Zegarowski would eventually tie it back up at 46 apiece going into the fourth quarter.
• 40 seconds into the fourth quarter, LIU's Erykah Russell received a technical foul that gave the Bulldogs the momentum to go on a 5-0 run.
• Brandy Thomas hit a jumper from the elbow to give LIU the one-point advantage with three minutes still to play. Zegarowski immediately answered sinking two back-to-back three-pointers to push the Bulldogs past LIU.

STATS

• Four players for Bryant entered double-digits including Holloway (19), Scanlan (16), Zegarowski (16) and Haley Connors (West Hartford, Conn.) (14).
• Zegarowski shot a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc and Connors led with team-high of 4.
• Palmer dished out a game-high 10 assists.
• Connors led with three steals.
• Holloway posted a double-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds while also adding two blocks.
• Bryant outshot LIU 40 to 35 percent from the field shooting 22-of-55.
• The Bulldogs outrebounded the Blackbirds, 41-35.
• Despite LIU compiling more steals than Bryant, the Bulldogs capitalized 22 points off of turnovers, compared to LIU's six.

GAME NOTES

• Holloway's double-double is her ninth of the season and 28^th of her career.
• Zegarowski's 16 points was a season-high.
• Connors had a career-high of three steals.
• Palmer's double-digit assists is her first of the season.
• Bryant grows to 14-4 all-time against LIU Brooklyn.
• The Bulldogs begin Northeast Conference play 1-0 for the first time since 2015.
• Coach Burke is now seven wins away from 400.

UP NEXT: ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN
Bryant continues its home court advantage welcoming St. Francis Brooklyn to Chace on Monday, January 7 on ESPN3 for a 7 p.m. tip.