January 30, 2014
Bryant Joins 1,000-Point Club Against No. 1 USF
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Kelsey Bryant became the 21st player in Taylor University women's basketball history to reach 1,000 points in a career, as the Trojans gave top-ranked Saint Francis all it could handle before falling 68-55.
Bryant entered play at 995 career points and wasted no time in reaching the milestone number, with a three-point bucket at the 19:03 mark and a two-point hoop at the 14:20 mark of the opening half to reach 1,000 points for her career.
Bryant's fast start helped fuel an early 9-4 lead for Taylor over No. 1 Saint Francis and TU would use the quick start to remain within striking distance throughout the opening half of action.
The Trojans then quickly erased a 26-22 halftime deficit with a pair of treys from Bryant that drew the Purple and Gold even at 28-28.
USF (23-0, 11-0 CL) countered with the game's next seven points, only to see Taylor fire back with eight-unanswered points to claim a 36-35 lead with 14:39 left in the contest. Monica Compton ignited the charge with a three-point play, before Kelci Freds knocked down a triple and Becca Daniels scored in the paint to push the Trojans out front.
A hoop from Shayna Wood temporarily stopped the ensuing Saint Francis spurt and drew Taylor even at 41-41 at the 12:44 mark, before the Cougars finally began to assert themselves with a 15-4 rally that opened up a 56-45 margin with 4:25 left to play.
Taylor would narrow the gap to seven points on a four-point play from Bryant with 90 seconds showing on the clock, but USF scored eight of the final 10 points to seal the 68-55 victory.
Bryant led the way for TU with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Becca Daniels added 12 points and four boards off the bench.
Taylor (8-15, 3-8 CL) will remain on the road on Saturday, as it heads south for a 1:00 pm clash with Marian (13-10, 6-5 CL).