Wagner downs Bryant in game one of series

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After being absent for the last five games, sophomore Nicole Gallagher bounced back with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to defeat Wagner as the Bryant University women's basketball team fell, 72-64, on Wednesday evening. 

Gallagher was one of three Bulldogs to tally double-figures. She was accompanied by senior Brooke Bjelko who added 11, followed by junior transfer Fatou Jallow with 10. 

THE PARTICULARS
Wager 72, Bryant 64
Records: Bryant (6-10, 4-8) | Wagner (8-4, 8-3)
Location: Spiro Sports Center (Staten Island, N.Y.)

KEY MOMENT

• A 7-0 run in the third quarter helped Wagner grow to its largest lead of the night of 12 points.
• The Bulldogs chipped away for the remainder of the second half and even took the lead with a three from Alana Perkins, but the Seahawks responded with a three of their own and never looked back.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter showed everyone what to expect for the duration of the game as it was back-and-forth from the opening tip. Wagner held just a one-point lead after the first ten minutes after five first-quarter lead changes, 20-19.
• Bryant shot an impressive 57.1% (8-14) from the field in the first frame.
• The second quarter wasn't much different from the first as the two teams battled it out. Wagner grew to a seven-point lead with under a minute to go in the half, but Mariona Planes Fortuny passed the ball out to Gallagher for a quick three to pull the Bulldogs within four at the buzzer, 38-34.
• The Seahawks took off on a 7-0 run just two minutes into the second half. The run helped Wagner grow to its first double-digit lead, 48-36.
• The run caused Bryant to take a timeout to regroup and the Bulldogs did just that. A pair of Bjelko free throws sparked a 6-1 run to cut into Wagner's lead. The Bulldogs trailed by five, 54-59, at the end of the third quarter.
• At the midway point in the fourth quarter, Perkins buried a three off a second-chance opportunity to give Bryant a one-point advantage. The lead was short-lived when the Seahawks answered with a three of their own in the next possession.
• Bryant pulled within four on two different occasions but Wagner held on, 72-64.

STATS

• Gallagher led with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. She also led the team with four assists.
• Bjelko added 11 points off four-of-six shooting and a three-for-three mark from the stripe. Bjelko also tallied three rebounds and one assist.
• Jallow posted double-figures with ten points off four-of-10 shooting from the field. She also dished out on assist and grabbed one steal.
• Five other Bulldogs contributed to Bryant's offense including Shannon O'Connor (8 points), Juliette Golden (six points), Kandis Taylor (five points, Planes Fortuny (five points), and Perkins (six points).
• Bryant shot 49% from the field (25-51) and 40% from three-point range (6-15). The Bulldogs also went eight-for-11 from the foul line.
• Wagner outrebounded the Bulldogs, 35-30.

GAME NOTES

• Today's loss was the first time Wagner defeated the Bulldogs in the Spiro Sports Center. Bryant is now 10-1 all-time in Staten Island and 18-4 overall against the Seahawks.
• Bryant is now 0-6 when outrebounded by its opponent.
• Gallagher's 13 rebounds marked a career-best.

UP NEXT
Bryant looks to bounce back tomorrow when they meet with Wagner for game two at 4 p.m. on NEC Front Row.