Will a core trio be enough of a foundation for Bryant to contend in this year’s America East women’s basketball title race?
Opposing coaches still think the Bulldogs could need more help. They were picked fifth in the preseason poll released Monday, Sept. 28, despite boasting two of the top six players in the league.
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Mia Mancini and Nia Scott were among the all-conference selections, veterans in the backcourt and frontcourt, respectively. Martina Boba will serve as a team captain alongside her fellow seniors, as Bryant will attempt to look more like the team that started 2025-26 instead of the club that scuffled to the finish.
“I think it speaks volumes to have three seniors who have been here all four years,” Bryant coach Lynne-Ann Kokoski said on a live broadcast with The Field of 68. “They understand. They’ve been through the good, the bad and the ugly – the rebuilding and, hopefully, propelling this program forward.
“Those guys understand what it takes and what we need to do to get there, which is tremendous.”
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Mancini has been a standout since claiming league Rookie of the Year honors in her 2023-24 debut. The former star at the Wheeler School was among the leaders for the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals per game. Mancini added 59 made 3-pointers to close inside the conference’s top five.
“She’s done a lot of great things for us in her four years here,” Kokoski said. “I think one of the biggest steps for her is being a more vocal leader, and we’ve seen that.”
Scott has been a constant double-double threat in the paint for Bryant, racking up 11 of those in 2025-26. She averaged 11.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and shot 53% from the floor last season. Scott intends to expand her game to the perimeter this season, adding an outside shot to her strong post presence.
“I think you’ll see a lot more versatility,” Kokoski said. “We just don’t have traditional posts anymore.”
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Boba’s defensive ability and toughness mixes with what could be a deep lineup bolstered by transfer talent. Genevive Wedemeyer (Siena), Ndate Ndiaye (Florida International) and Cameron McNamara (Highland Community College) are all expected to make immediate impacts alongside rotation returners Izzy Adams and Olivia Fernandez.
“I want those guys to be impact players,” Kokoski said. “Honestly, I think the hardest part for them right now is understanding. Go step on toes.”
The Bulldogs closed 18-12 overall and 8-8 in league play last season. Their highlights all came early – a win over Boston College, a 14-3 start overall, a 4-0 beginning in league play. Bryant struggled down the stretch and lost to Binghamton in a quarterfinal stinker, a 45-44 setback on the road.
“Just keep building,” Kokoski said. “Obviously the goal is always to get to 20 (wins). The goal is always to finish top four. The goal is always to win a championship. But you can’t do that until you lay that foundation.”
The Bearcats grabbed six first-place votes to top the poll while Maryland Baltimore County earned two and Vermont picked up one. Maine was selected fourth ahead of the Bulldogs while New Jersey Institute of Technology, Albany, New Hampshire and UMass Lowell occupied the last four spots.
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Binghamton matched Bryant with two players on the all-conference list. Seniors Bella Pucci and Kendall Bennett give the Bearcats a premier outside-inside punch as a leading scorer and dominant rebounder. Catamounts guard Malia Lenz and Retrievers guard Heidi Williams rounded out the players tabbed to be among the league’s best this season. Lenz piled up 13 points and 14 rebounds as Vermont beat the Black Bears in the conference tournament championship game and booked a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bulldogs open with a Division III opponent on Nov. 2, hosting MIT. Bryant follows with a home game against Marist before jumping into the teeth of its schedule – at Providence, at Boston College and a Dec. 21 home game against Brown all follow. A trip to face the Wildcats on New Year’s Eve starts to conference schedule, a 4 p.m. tip in New Hampshire.
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Why America East coaches may be underrating Bryant women this season
