No. 10 Merrimack Beats Bryant 71-61

January 11, 2005

SMITHFIELD, RI ? Joelle Martin tallied a game-high 21 points to help lead No. 10 Merrimack to a 71-61 win over Bryant University in a Northeast-10 Conference game Tuesday here at the Chace Athletic Center.

Merrimack (12-2, 7-2 NE-10) raced out to an 18-4 lead early, thanks to three buckets by Jenny Smith. The Bulldogs answered with an 11-0 run sparked by a pair of baskets from Kellie Fournier (Westport, Mass.) to trim the lead to 18-15. A basket by Martin helped give the Warriors a 36-23 lead heading into the locker room at the half.

The second half saw Merrimack expand its lead by as much as 17 before a late run by Bryant (10-4, 5-4 NE-10) would trim the lead down to just six, 63-57 with 1:53 remaining in the game. Nancy Marrero (Middletown, Conn.) drained four free throws on her way to a career-high 12 points (plus four steals) in leading the Bulldog rally. However, Merimack would stay comfortably out in front thanks to a long three from Martin and held on from there.

Smith had 18 points for Merrimack, including her 1,000th career point. Fournier scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds for Bryant and Joanna Skiba (Providence, RI) netted 10.

Bryant will return to action Saturday, January 5, when the Bulldogs host Assumption College in a Northeast-10 Conference match-up. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center.