Bulldogs drop 52-48 decision at Sacred Heart

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Bryant University women's basketball dropped a ten-point second-half lead as they fell to Sacred Heart, 52-48, on Sunday afternoon.

Junior Brooke Bjelko (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) led the Black and Gold in the tough loss in Fairfield with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Nicole Gallagher (Foxboro, Mass.) trailed closely behind Bjelko with 15 points while senior Masey Zegarowski (Hamilton, Mass.) added 11.

GAME INFORMATION
Sacred Heart 52, Bryant 48
Records: Bryant (8-18, 6-9), Sacred Heart (9-17, 6-9)
Location: William H. Pitt Center (Fairfield, Conn.)

KEY MOMENT

• Sacred Heart's fourth-quarter push was the deciding factor of today's game as the Pioneers kicked off the final frame on a 10-0 run. SHU went on to outscore the Bulldogs, 19-5, in the final ten minutes to close out the game. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter started off with three lead changes before Gallagher drove to the basket to kickstart an 8-0 run with 1:37 to go in the quarter. The run gave the Bulldogs a six-point lead at the conclusion of the first frame, 19-13.
• The Pioneers came out hot in the second quarter by draining a three that fueled a 7-0 run and gave Sacred Heart a one-point lead.
• Bryant remained scoreless until Bjelko ended the six-and-a-half-minute scoring drought when she hit her defender with an up and under in the paint. Bjelko's go-ahead layup gave Bryant the lead as they rode out the half on an 8-2 run, 27-22.
• Zegarowski kicked off the second half with a floater off the dribble to help the Bulldogs take a 7-2 run into the first media timeout of the half. The Bulldogs also grew to their biggest lead of the day, 34-24.
• Sacred Heart responded by knocking down three three-pointers out of the timeout to pull within three, but the Bulldogs fired back with seven-straight to regain their ten-point cushion.
• The Pioneers immediately tied the game at the 6:44 mark in the fourth quarter thanks to a 10-0 run to start the final frame.
• With the score at 48-45 in Sacred Heart's favor, Gallagher rubbed her defender off a Holloway screen for a spot-up three at the top of the key to tie the game at 48 all.
• In Bryant's attempt to press the Pioneers, Sacred Heart drew a foul off the inbound to put the Pioneers at the line. SHU went on to get one to take the lead followed by three more from the stripe with under 20 seconds to go to ice the game, 52-48.

STATS

• Three Bulldogs posted double-figures, led by Bjelko with 16. Gallagher trailed with 15 while Zegarowski posted 11.
• Bjelko paired her 16 points with 11 rebounds for a double-double.
• Zegarowski led with a game-high six assists.

GAME NOTES

• Bjelko's double-double is her second of the season and fifth of her career.
• Zegarowski tied her career-high of six assists for the fourth time in her career and third time this season.
• The Bulldogs posted 48 points last season at the Pitt Center when the Bulldogs fell, 49-48, just one year ago.
• Bryant falls to 6-18 all-time against the Pioneers and 3-9 in Fairfield.

UP NEXT: Fairleigh Dickinson
Bryant welcomes Fairleigh Dickinson to the Chace Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1 p.m.