FINAL SCORE: Bryant 68, Vermont 52
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The University of Vermont women's basketball team fell to the Bryant Bulldogs 68-52 at the Chace Athletic Center Saturday afternoon in game two of its three-game road trip. Bryant picked up its first win of the season for a 1-2 record as Vermont dropped to 1-2.  
 
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"The urgency we showed in the fourth quarter needs to start at the opening tip," said head coach Lori Gear McBride. "I was disappointed with our energy and execution, especially on the defensive end."
 
Hayley Robertson set the tone for the Catamount offense with a team-high 14 points, going 4-for-5 from the foul line, and Sydney Smith recorded six rebounds.  
 
Briana Rucker posted a double-double for Bryant as she collected a game-high 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Bulldogs held a 50-31 edge in rebounds over UVM and held Vermont to 17-for-56 from the field.
 
The Bulldogs jumped out to a five-point lead early on, but Andreana Thomas dropped a shot from behind the arc to tie the game three minutes in. Thomas posted eight first-quarter points to keep the Cats within reach of Bryant, and the game was knotted again at 17 by the end of the period.
 
Bryant opened up a quick 10-point advantage to begin the second quarter. Rucker posted 13 points and six rebounds in the first half to pace Bryant's offense as the Bulldogs took control with a 36-24 lead after the first 20 minutes. Bryant held Vermont to 8-for-26 from the field and 16 rebounds.
 
When action resumed, the Bulldogs maintained a comfortable 12-point cushion in the third period. Rucker picked up her second foul with 5:31 left in the quarter to send Lauren Handy to the line and she cut the Bulldog advantage to 10.
 
Robertson created a three-point play with 1:59 left in the quarter as she drew a foul completing a layup and finished with a foul shot. Vermont went on a 6-0 run midway through the final quarter to close the gap to 60-50 but it was not enough as Bryant secured the 16-point victory.  
 
The Catamounts round out a three-game road trip as they travel to Providence for a game on Monday (Nov. 23) against Brown at 7 p.m.
 
Radio coverage begins 20 minutes prior to tip-off at 6:40 p.m. on WVMT 620-AM and SportsJuice.com with Kevin Fitzgerald calling the action. The game can be viewed on the Ivy League Network.