Unsworth Posts 16-Point Day as Lions Fall to Bryant, 68-54
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Sophomore Caitlin Unsworth posted a career-high 16 points but it would not be enough as the Columbia women's basketball team fell to Bryant, 68-54, in nonleague action Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.
Columbia (1-6) came out strong in the first half to finish with a 22-22 tie at the break, but Bryant (2-4) pulled away in the second half to even the series in what was just the second meeting between the teams.
Unsworth, who checked off another career high with four three-pointers, went a perfect 4 of 4 from the line while adding two assists and a steal in just 18 minutes of action. Senior Courtney Bradford pulled down eight of Columbia's 26 rebounds as Bryant outrebounded the Lions by a +21 margin.
Unsworth, who checked off another career high with four three-pointers, went a perfect 4 of 4 from the line while adding two assists and a steal in just 18 minutes of action. Senior Courtney Bradford pulled down eight of Columbia's 26 rebounds as Bryant outrebounded the Lions by a +21 margin.
The start of the game was tightly contested, with Columbia taking its first lead just three minutes in after two free throws by Taylor Ball made it 4-2. The game continued on a back-and-forth scale until consecutive baskets from deep by Unsworth and Taylor Ward put the Lions in front, 12-10. From there, however, the Bulldogs held the Lions scoreless for nearly seven minutes, during which Bryant rattled off 10 consecutive points to build a 20-12 advantage at the 4:43 mark.
An 8-2 Columbia run kept the Lions in the game as layup by Crystal Owusu evened the score, 22-22, with just over a minute to go before the break.
Bryant went ahead by six early in the second half, but Columbia rallied to bring it within two, 34-32, before Katie Whittington hit a three-ball to increase Bryant's lead to five with 13:09 to go.
Columbia answered with an 8-0 surge that included two three-pointers by Taylor Ward to put Columbia ahead, 40-37, which would be the largest yet final lead of the day for the Lions as Bryant pulled away once and for all with an 18-2 run over the next five minutes.
The Lions will wrap up a three-game road swing on Tuesday as Columbia takes on upstate New York rival Colgate in a 7 p.m. tilt.
