DAYTON, TN – The Bryan College women's basketball team improved to 8-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference play with a 67-60 home victory over Reinhardt University on Wednesday evening at Summers Gymnasium.
The Lady Lions dominated the three-point line, converting 11 of 24 attempts (45.8%) compared to Reinhardt's 5-of-25 performance (20.0%), which proved to be the difference in the contest.
Bryan opened the game with an impressive first quarter, shooting 52.9% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc to build a 21-13 lead. The Lady Lions' three-point shooting was particularly sharp in the final period, where they connected on 4 of 5 attempts (80.0%) to seal the victory.
Senior guard
Ashlan Crittenden led Bryan with 11 points and added four assists, two steals, and a block in 30 minutes of action. Her court vision and leadership proved crucial in navigating Reinhardt's defensive pressure.
Ellie Graham provided a spark with nine points, all coming from three three-pointers, including three critical triples in the fourth quarter that helped Bryan pull away. Graham also contributed eight rebounds and two steals.
Kaylynn Walls added eight points on efficient shooting from distance, while
Molly Brown and
Kadee Ferrell each chipped in seven points.
Bryan's bench provided valuable support with 25 points.
Alyssa Petty scored six points, while
Alivia Hall added five points including a crucial three-pointer in the third quarter.
Ruby Cox contributed three points and three steals in 14 minutes of play.
The Lady Lions forced 23 turnovers and converted them into 21 points, a significant advantage over Reinhardt's 13 points off turnovers. Bryan also controlled the paint, limiting the Eagles to shooting opportunities while protecting the ball themselves with only 22 turnovers.
"I'm very proud of our team tonight," said head coach Matt Bollant. "We beat a good Reinhardt squad in a hard-fought game, and we had a lot of players step up and make plays when we needed them most. Great to be 6-0 in conference play," he added.
The victory keeps the Lady Lions' perfect conference record intact as they continue their strong start to the season. The Lady Lions will look to maintain their momentum and extend their winning streak in their next outing. They will take on Johnson University at home on Saturday at 2:00 pm.
