SMITHFIELD, RI- A fourth quarter comeback fell short as the Bryant Bulldogs remained undefeated in conference play with a 84-72 win over the Red Flash at the Chace Athletic Center on Monday Night.

"We weren't able to play our style for about two and a half quarters," coach Joe Haigh said. "Credit Bryant, a big, physical successful team took us out of rhythm, but I like the effort that we gave late and we finished strong."

Bryant used a pair of 8-0 runs in the first quarter to lead 20-15 after the first 10 minutes. The story of the first half was the Bulldogs' ability to convert SFU turnovers into points. The Bulldogs turned 13 miscues into 15 points, helping to fuel the runs.

"Turnovers were a big issue, we turned the ball over too much, especially in the first half," Haigh added. "Bryant is the class of the NEC right now and this was a good measuring stick for us, I think we were right there with them in the second half, we just had too much to overcome."

Bryant extended their first half lead to double digits in the second quarter behind  Tiersa Winder. The senior snapped out of her cold shooting streak for the Bulldogs with a game high 27 including 16 in the first half. Despite her hot shooting, the Flash hung with the Bulldogs as the half wore on. Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) and Taylor Allison (State College, Pa./State College) each hit threes to cut the Bryant lead to six at 32-26. Bryant would extend the lead back to double figures as Winder again scored on a run out lay-up. Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) answered with a pair of buckets late to cut the lead to 11 at 41-30 at the intermission.

Saint Francis got a turnover and transition basket to start the third quarter but another Bryant run proved pivotal. Bryant ripped off a 13-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 55-32 lead. The Bulldogs hit on four of six shots during the run while forcing a pair of Flash turnovers. A Kovatch jumper ended the run, but the teams would trade baskets for the rest of the quarter. The Flash would get no closer than 19 in the frame and trail 67-45 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the Flash started to get rolling as Bryant got into foul trouble. Both Alex Klein and Breanna Rucker fouled out in the early stages of the quarter. The Flash began to chip away at the Bulldog lead, forcing turnovers and hitting shots in transition. Brock hit a pull-up three and Katie Reese (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes) and Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) each got to the line to cut into the Bulldog lead. Another Kovatch three rattled home and Brock hit another triple as the horn sounded. The Flash rolled up 27 points in the fourth quarter but fell 84-72.

"We are going to try and build off our fourth quarter momentum," Haigh said. "I am not sure what caused the spark, but we will look at the tape and get ready for Robert Morris."
 
Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) led the Flash with 24 points on 8-20 shooting. The freshman added four rebounds and four assists as well. Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) had 12 for the Flash, who now sit at 5-3 in the NEC and 7-11 overall. Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md./Western (Hampton U)) led the Flash with eight rebounds and tied Katie Reese (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes) with a team high four steals.

Saint Francis will look to build off the late momentum on Saturday as they host in-state and NEC rival Robert Morris. Tip time from DeGol Arena is set for 4p.m..