Robert Morris outlasts Bulldogs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's basketball team fought until the final seconds falling to Robert Morris, 60-57, as the Colonials remain undefeated in conference play. 

The duo of sophomore Hannah Scanlan (Rumson, N.J.) and junior Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W. Va.) led the Bulldogs with 12 points apiece. 

GAME INFORMATION
Robert Morris 60, Bryant 57
Records: Bryant, 4-12 (2-3) | Robert Morris, 8-8 (5-0)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

COACH BURKE COMMENTS

"I thought the players battled really hard today and we had an exceptional effort on defense. Early on, we struggled offensively and our defensive rebounding kept us in the game. If they are the best in the league and are undefeated, then obviously we are right there. As frustrating as it is with the Sacred Heart and Robert Morris games, we can't feel bad for ourselves because we have made huge strides as we continue to learn and grow."

KEY MOMENT

• Robert Morris jumped out to a quick lead outscoring Bryant 14-4 in the first quarter.
• Bryant fought their way back as Taty LaFrance Boyce (Norwich, Conn.) scored a layup in the final seconds of the first half to put Bryant within three.
• Holloway gave Bryant its first lead in the third quarter after helping the Bulldogs to a 12-2 run.
• Before closing out the third quarter, Robert Morris went on an 8-2 run to regain the lead as the Colonials held the advantage for the remainder of the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Robert Morris started the game scoring the first two baskets of the game growing to a 7-1 run until Hannah Scanlan grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in for the Bulldogs lone field goal of the quarter.
• The Colonials responded to Scanlan's layup with another 7-0 run until Masey Zegarowski (Hilton, Mass.) knocked down a free throw to end the quarter, 14-4.
• Bryant's offense came alive in the second quarter as the Bulldogs outshot the Colonials shooting 7-of-11 from the field compared to Robert Morris's 4-of-9.
• Coming out of a timeout with 2:14 to go in the third quarter, Naomi Ashley (Hamilton, Mass.) drew a foul and knocked down a pair of free throws to kick-start an 8-0 run for the Black and Gold. Boyce ended the run as Bryant forced a Robert Morris turnover with just five seconds to go. Boyce drove to the basket for a layup to close out the half as Bryant trailed, 27-23
• Holloway bookended a 12-2 Bulldog run to give Bryant its first lead of the game with 4:46 to go in the third quarter, 35-33.
• The Colonials responded by hitting back-to-back three-pointers to spark an 8-2 run to close out the third quarter with the advantage, 48-42.
• Boyce knocked down a shot just a step inside the three-point line before Zegarowski intercepted a pass and pushed the ball up to Boyce for a layup. Bryant continued the run as Scanlan then scored a fast-break layup to put Bryant within one with 5:57 to go in the game.
• With just 30 seconds to go in the game, Bryant had the ball for the final possession as the Bulldogs trailed by one. Holloway tried for a three to tie the game, and the ball rolled out as time expired.

STATS

• Holloway led with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
• Scanlan scored her second double-digit game in a row with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
• Zegarowski chipped in nine points shooting two-of-nine from the field.
• Ashley led Bryant with three steals, contributing six points and two rebounds.
• Boyce added seven points shooting three-of-six from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.  
• Bulldogs outrebounded the Colonial, 41-28.

GAME NOTES

• Boyce's seven rebounds marks a career-best.
• Holloway's double-double her 12^th of the season, 31^st of her career. 
• Bryant falls to 5-17 all-time against Robert Morris.

UP NEXT: SAINT FRANCIS U
On Monday, January 21 Bryant welcomes the defending NEC champions Saint Francis U to the Chace Athletic Center for a 2 p.m. start in a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day game.