SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior guard Eva DeChent scored a game-high 15 points but the University of New Hampshire women’s basketball team was toppled 45-31 by Bryant University in Thursday night’s America East conference opener at Chace Athletic Center.

Freshman guard Carolina Williams scored a career-high eight points. Senior forward Lucia Melero Sabat finished with nine rebounds and four blocks to match her career high in rebounds and set a personal best in blocks.

DeChent also had seven rebounds and two blocks.

Bryant was led by Maranda Nyborg’s double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Mia Mancini had 11 points, seven rebounds and game-high three assists. The Bulldogs led 21-20 at the half, then 34-29 after three quarters and went on a 7-0 run to lead 41-29 early in the fourth quarter, taking control.

UNH, which entered the game on a three-game winning streak, is now 6-8 overall and 0-1 in the conference. Bryant is 11-3, 1-0.

UP NEXT

UNH returns to action Saturday at 2 p.m. at the University of Vermont.