Bryant grows to biggest win streak of the year at CCSU

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – A dominating third quarter helped the Bryant University women's basketball team grow to its biggest win streak of the season as the Bulldogs downed Central Connecticut, 62-52, in New Britain. 

The Bulldogs posted a clean sweep of the Blue Devils this season with the help of senior Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W.Va.) who posted a game-high 19 points. Freshman Nicole Gallagher (Foxboro, Mass.) chipped in 11 points as the Black and Gold grows to a 6-6 record against conference foes. 

GAME INFORMATION
Bryant 62, Central Connecticut 51
Records: Bryant (8-15, 6-6), Central Connecticut (2-22, 1-12)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium (New Britain, Conn.)

KEY MOMENT

• Bryant exploded on a 16-0 run to start the third quarter as they held CCSU to just one field goal in the quarter. The 19-4 outburst helped the Bulldogs set themselves and hold a double-digit cushion for majority of the second half. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams were neck and neck to start the game as the Bulldogs held onto a one-point lead at the first media timeout, 11-10.
• Holloway knocked down a fade-away jumper just off the block to fuel an 8-2 run at the two-minute mark to close out the quarter, 19-12.
• The Blue Devils opened the second quarter on a 13-0 run to take the lead, 25-19, keeping Bryant scoreless for the first six minutes of the quarter.
• The Bulldogs ended the scoring drought when Brooke Bjelko (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) hit one from the stripe to help Bryant grab the next five points. Thanks to two free throws and a three from Trinity Bravo (Bridgeport, Conn.), the Bulldogs ended the half with a one-point lead, 31-30.
• Central Connecticut opened the second half with a pair from the charity stripe before a Gallagher three kick-started a 16-0 run for the Black and Gold.
• The Blue Devils went on to get a steal and a fastbreak layup for its lone field goal of the quarter, as the Bulldogs outscored Central, 19-4, to secure a 16-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
• With six minutes to go in the game, Central Connecticut started clawing its way back into the game with a 17-2 run that would cut Bryant's lead to single-digits, 58-51.
• The run came too late for CCSU as Masey Zegarowski (Hamilton, Mass.) sank four-of-four from the stripe to end the game, 62-51.

STATS

• Holloway led with a game-high 19 points and was just two rebounds shy of a double-double.
• Gallagher also notched double-figures with 11 points off three three-pointers and two-of-two from the foul line.
• Bravo swiped four steals while Taty LaFrance Boyce (Norwich, Conn.), Kandis Taylor (Sunrise, Fla.), Gallagher, and Holloway all tallied two apiece.
• The Bulldogs shot 40.4 percent from the field off 23-of-57 shooting.
• Bryant outrebounded the Blue Devils by 20, 46-26, as 14 of Bryant's 62 points came from second chances.

GAME NOTES

• Bryant grows to 14-10 all-time against CCSU and is now 5-7 all-time in Detrick Gymnasium.
• The win marks Bryant's third-straight win which is the longest win streak of the season for the Black and Gold. 
• Bravo's four-steal performance marks her fifth four+ steal game this season.
• Holloway has posted six-straight double-digit scoring performances. The senior has 13 on the year and 75 in her career.

UP NEXT: Merrimack
The Bulldogs host Merrimack on President's Day this Monday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. as Bryant brings awareness to breast cancer with a pink game.