Big Green Fall to Bryant in Season Opener, 70-63

Monday, November 7

Hanover, N.H.

6:00 PM

Dartmouth College

0-1,0-0Ivy League

Bryant

1-0,0-0America East

Bryant

Dartmouth

Victoria Page ’25

Photo by: Doug Austin

Big Green Fall to Bryant in Season Opener, 70-63

11/7/2022 9:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Dartmouth started strong, but was unable to finish against a tough Bulldogs squad

By: Kyle Relf

HANOVER, N.H. — The Dartmouth women's basketball team led by double digits at the half, but wasn't able to fend off a late charge by Bryant and eventually fell 70-63 in the season opener Monday night at Leede Arena.

The Big Green (0-1) held a 13-point advantage following an impressive first-half performance, but the Bulldogs (1-0) erupted for a 48-point onslaught in the second half, tying the game by the end of the third quarter and making key shots down the stretch in the fourth, despite a strong start to the final stanza by Dartmouth. The Big Green quickly reclaimed the lead in the start of the fourth and even held a seven-point advantage with six minutes remaining after Allie Harland's clutch three, but that preceded an 11-point Bryant run that saw the visitors take control.

"I'm incredibly proud of our first-half effort," said Adrienne Shibles, the Gail Koziara Boudreaux '82 and Family Head Coach of Women's Basketball. "It shows promise for what lies ahead. A lot of young players stepped up today and gave us valuable minutes. Certainly, we're disappointed with this loss, but there is so much to build on for the next game."

Sophomore Victoria Page led the way for Dartmouth offensively, tying a career-high with 16 points, including 10 in the first half. Emma Koch followed with a career-best 12 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Freshman Olivia Lawlor also scored in double figures for Dartmouth, adding 10 in her collegiate debut. Bryant was paced by Mariona Fortuny Planes' 22-point double-double, along with Alana Perkins' 5-of-6 performance from three. Perkins finished the game with 19 points, all of which came in the second half.

Dartmouth's defense suffocated Bryant in the opening half, holding the Bulldogs under 40 percent from the field, forcing 12 turnovers and scoring 14 points off of those opportunities. On the offensive end, the Big Green were paced by Page's 10 points. Mekkena Boyd's perimeter shooting was also a catalyst in Dartmouth's 13-point halftime lead – the junior was 2-for-3 from downtown.

Bryant's eight second-chance points in the third quarter helped the Bulldogs tie the game, 41-41, in the final minutes of the third quarter and head into the fourth with a 47-47 deadlock. Dartmouth went to Koch for the first four points of the final quarter and later led by five after a pair Olivia Lawlor's two trips to the line. The Big Green's press forced a Bryant turnover and Anna Nelson made a fast break layup to put Dartmouth up by seven. The Bulldogs would heat up from three after facing that deficit, sinking each of their next four attempts to claim a two-point edge. Page's jumper with 1:31 remaining brought Dartmouth back within two after trailing by four, but the Big Green were only able to muster one more bucket in their final five possessions.

Dartmouth is back in action Friday at Rhode Island for a 1 p.m. tip. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available via DartmouthSports.com.