Women's Basketball Falls to Bryant

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team fell to Bryant by a score of 68-62 on Wednesday afternoon.  The Blue Devils (6-6, 0-2 NEC) closed to within three points after trailing Bryant (7-4, 1-1 NEC) by 17 early in the second half, but the comeback fell short.  Junior Kirsten Daamen posted her second double-double of the season with a game-high 20 points.

Facing their second largest deficit of the season the Blue Devils made a run late in the half to cut into Bryant's lead. 

Trailing by 13, Jessica Babe hit a three to bring Central to 26-16.  Freshman Danielle Davis blocked a shot on the following possession, which kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.  On Central's next possession, Daamen delivered a jumper from the paint, which cut the lead to single digits for the first time since Bryant went ahead 18-8 with 9:29 left in the half.

Jessica Babe hit the final shot of the half, a three pointer with 38 seconds remaining that pulled Central within nine points heading to the break.

Bryant led 30-21 at the half thanks to a six-of-11 shooting performance from beyond the arc.  Bryant shot 54.5% from three, but managed just 30.3% from the field overall.

Daamen led the way in the half with eight points and five rebounds.

Facing a 17-point deficit with 12:51 left in the game, the Blue Devils began to chip away at Bryant's lead.  Daamen hit a pair of layups and junior Jameilia Dillon knocked down a jumper to cut the lead to 42-31, with 11:20 remaining.

Sophomore Jaleen Thomas hit a free throw to cut the deficit to 10, but Bryant's Danielle Douglas answered with a layup.  A three by junior Jaclyn Babe put the Blue Devils within 10 for the first time since the end of the first half, but Bryant followed with five quick points.

Central's final run of the afternoon cut the lead to 54-51 with 4:10 remaining, but Bryant outscored Central 14-11 over the final four minutes to earn the victory. 

Daamen finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, both were game-highs.  Jessica and Jaclyn Babe each scored 14 points in the game. 

Jessica finished with 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals.  Jaclyn posted a 14-point, six-rebound and five-assist stat line for the day.

Thomas finished with six rebounds in her first career start. Classmate Lauren Arbogast had nine boards in the game.

The Blue Devils will open 2012 with a game January 2, at Boston College.  That game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.