SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women’s basketball team opens the 2024-25 season Monday night when they welcome Merrimack to the Chace Athletic Center for a 6:00 pm tip-off.
The Bulldogs’ opener is part of a doubleheader. After the conclusion of this game, the Men’s Basketball team will face Dean College.
The Particulars
Opponent: Merrimack
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Monday, Nov. 4 – 6:00 PM EST
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Watch: ESPN+
THE SERIES
This will be the 22nd match-up between the Black and Gold and the Warriors. Bryant leads the all-time series 11-10. Merrimack was victorious last season in North Andover 65-60.
2023-24 Recap
- The Bulldogs posted a 15-15 overall record and an 8-8 mark in the America East and hosted a playoff game for the first time in ten seasons.
- Lynne-Ann Kokoski began her first season as head coach.
- Mia Mancini was named the AE Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie and Third Teams. Mariona Planes Fortuny earned a spot on the first team, and Nia Scott joined Mancini on the rookie team.
- The Black and Golds mark of 15 wins was the most since 2016.
Who’s Back
- The Bulldogs bring back six players from last year’s squad.
- Mancini returns after her breakout freshman season and was selected to the preseason All-America East team. She averaged 13.3 ppg and shot 36% from deep last year. Mancini tallied five 20+ point games and had 25 games with a mad three-pointer and 19 with multiple triples.
- Martina Boba, Nia Scott, Silvia Gonzalez, Alejandra Ferreirós, and Jessica Berens return to the Bulldogs for this season.
- Scott is coming off a selection to the all-rookie team. She had four double-doubles last year and six 10+ rebound games. Also, had nine double-figure scoring efforts, including a stretch of four in a row.
- Boba was a menace on defense, leading the teams in steals with 44. She recorded a steal in 27 games and had a stretch where she had a steal in 12 consecutive games. Boba posted two 20-point efforts and seven double-figure games.
- Gonzalez came off the bench last season and made six starts. She made 31 from deep and tallied five games of 10+ points. Gonzalez made three in 18 games and had a three in seven straight games from (Jan. 27 – Feb. 17).
Who’s New
- The Black and Gold added eight new players in the off-season. Five transfers and three freshmen.
- Ali Brigham, Jada Leonard, Mimi Rubino, Brielle Williams, and Maranda Nyborg transferred to Smithfield.
- Jana Aubà, Gabrielle Sweeney, and Olivia Fernandez signed as freshmen.
- Brigham spent the last three seasons at Penn State. She appeared in 94 games, making 59 starts. Last season, Brigham had career-highs in ppg (8.7), points (303), assists (57), and minutes per game (22.4).
- Leonard played the last two years at Saint Peter’s. She had a career average of 11.3 ppg, shooting 37% from the field and 32% from behind the arc.
- Rubino played four years at Fairfield and averaged 7.1 ppg, 2.6 reb/g, and 33% from the floor. She had a career-high 22 steals in her sophomore season.
- Williams spent two years at UNH. Last season, Williams led the Wildcats in points (220) and ppg (7.6), while ranking fourth in the conference in steals (47) and SPG (1.6).
