Bulldogs drop to LIU in overtime

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Despite both Brooke Bjelko and Nicole Gallagher posting a pair of double-doubles, the Bryant University women's basketball team dropped to Long Island University, 58-53, in overtime on Sunday night.

Bjelko led with 21 points and 14 rebounds followed by a 10 point, 12 rebound performance from Gallagher.

THE PARTICULARS
Long Island 58, Bryant 53
Records: Bryant (7-11, 5-9) | Long Island (6-11, 6-11)
Location: Steinberg Wellness Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

KEY MOMENT

• Long Island erased Bryant's double-digit lead in the second half thanks to an 8-0 run at the end of the third quarter.
• The Sharks tied the game with one minute remaining in regulation and held on to send it into overtime. While in OT, LIU outscored the Bulldogs, 9-4, to win the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bryant held LIU to just seven points in the first quarter, holding the Sharks to 21.4% FG percentage (3-14). The Bulldogs capitalized by scoring 13 for the early advantage.
• Both teams had trouble putting the ball in the basket in the first half as neither team was able to break the 30-point mark, despite Bryant shooting 55% from the field in the second quarter. Bjelko was one of the few players from both teams to produce on the offensive end with 14 points across two quarters.  
• Gallagher drained a three to start the second half to grow Bryant to its last double-digit lead of the night, 30-20, before the Sharks started to chip away.
• LIU pulled down an offensive rebound and converted on the second-chance opportunity with four minutes left to play in the third quarter. The layup sparked an 8-0 run to give the Sharks a one-point lead. Bryant responded with a layup from Bjelko, but a pair of free throws down the other end for the Sharks gave them a one-point advantage at the end of the quarter, 38-37.
• The two teams went nearly basket-for-basket in the fourth quarter but LIU drained a three off another second-chance opportunity. The three tied the game at 49-all and the Sharks held on for the final minute to send the game into overtime.
• LIU jumped out to an early lead at the beginning of overtime with a 6-2 run off a pair of threes. The Bulldogs went on to get one more layup, but the Sharks outscored Bryant, 9-4, in the final five minutes to win the game, 58-53.

STATS

• Bjelko finished the game with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds. She also added two assists, one steal, and one block.
• Gallagher also had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds to go along with two assists, two steals, and one block.
• Shannon O'Connor posted eight points shooting three-of-eight from the field a two-for-two from the stripe.
• Freshman Stephanie Mayerhofer drained a pair of three's off three attempts for a total of six points.
• Junior transfer Fatou Jallow tallied five points, one assist, and one steal.
• The Bulldogs shot 35.2% from the field tonight (19-54) and 58.8% from the foul line (10-17).
• It came as no surprise that the top two rebounding teams in the NEC matched with 48 rebounds each, but the Sharks pulled down 23 offensive boards compared to Bryant's 13.

GAME NOTES

• Tonight was Bryant's third overtime game this season and the Bulldogs are now 2-1 when playing extra frames.
• Bjelko posted her second-straight double-double and the senior is now at eight this season while Gallagher is now at four.
• Tonight was the first game the Bryant lost a game despite leading at the half. The Bulldogs are now 5-1 when leading at halftime.
• The Bulldogs still lead the all-time series record, 16-5, and is now 6-4 in Brooklyn.

UP NEXT
Bryant meets with LIU again tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Brooklyn.