MOUNT ST. MARY'S (9-4, 8-2 NEC) vs. BRYANT (6-7, 4-5 NEC)
Saturday, February 20^th, 2:00 p.m. | Sunday, February 21^st, 2:00 p.m.  
Emmitsburg, Md. | Knott Arena  
 
Watch (Game 1) | Watch (Game 2) | Live Stats | Mount Game Notes | Bryant Game Notes
 
EMMITSBURG, Md. (February 19, 2021) – With the second half and the final push to the Northeast Conference tournament, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball hosts the Bryant Bulldogs in a pivotal series with much at stake for both sides.
 
This weekend also features two of the top individuals in the conference – Mount senior Kendall Bresee and Bryant forward Brooke Bjelko. The duo, led by Bjelko with Bresee trailing, are 1-2 in scoring and rebounding.
 
MOUNTAINEER REPORT
 A pair of 20 point wins over the Long Island Sharks gave the Mount sole possession of second place in the NEC. With the 85-64 and 65-41 victories the team has earned triumphant margins of 20 or more in five of their eight conference wins.

There were many great individual efforts propelling the Mount over the weekend. Bresee earned her seventh double-double of the season and went 17-for-18 at the line across the two games. Michaela Harrison and Aryna Taylor delivered fantastic shooting performances, with Harrison scoring 28 points for the series and Taylor registering a career-high 19 points on Saturday.

Rebounding was another big key to the wins. The Mount finished plus-33 in the category, giving them a positive margin for the season. Rebecca Lee and Bresee had double-digit rebound tallies, and Kayla Agentowicz pulled down 15 boards for the weekend. Freshman Isabella Hunt led the team Saturday with a career-high nine rebounds.

BROODING OVER BRYANT 
Bryant stands at 4-5 in the conference and are looking for a strong second half to earn their ticket to the NEC tournament. They stand 2.5 games behind the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights for fifth, but still have half of their season remaining.

Under the tutelage of Mary Burke, the longest active tenured coach with an NEC team, the Bulldogs relies on rebounds to aid in their efforts. Their plus-5.4 rebound margin leads the lead, and the Smithfield side is tops in the NEC for offensive rebound.
 
The offense runs through Brooke Bjelko, who is first in the conference for 16.8 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game. Kendall Bresee of the Mount is right behind Bjelko with stats of 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. Bryant gets extra help from three-point threat Nicole Gallagher and double-digit average Alana Perkins.
 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES
 Bryant leads the series after 23 meetings with a 13-10 edge. They are one of three NEC teams that hold a winning record over the Mountaineers, joining Saint Francis U and Sacred Heart. Meetings date back to 2009 when the Bulldogs transitioned to Division I.
 
The sides split the two contests, with each team winning on the road. Three players reached double figures for the Mount in their 76-70 win at the Chace Athletic Center, led by Harrison with 18. Two weeks later, Bryant staved off a 15 point comeback to spoil homecoming for the Mountaineers, 72-67.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
 Merrimack, Saint Francis U and Wagner remain on the schedule. The Warriors welcome the Mount to Hammel Court on February 24^th and 25^th.