Bulls Fall At Hofstra, 77-60

Monday, November 16

7 pm

University at Buffalo

1-1

Hofstra

1-0

Buffalo

Hofstra

11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, NY – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team had a hard time matching up with a bigger and more physical Hofstra team as the Bulls fell to the Pride, 77-60, Monday night at the Mack Sports Complex. Hofstra had 22 offensive boards and 48 points in the paint on the night. The Bulls even their season record to 1-1.

The first half got off to a feverish start as both teams were converting on easy inside opportunities. Hofstra took a nine-point lead with 9:02 remaining in the first half, but the Bulls clawed back as five straight points from freshman Abby Dowd, including her first collegiate three, cut the lead to five. Back-to-back layups from Beth Christensen and Jessica Fortman helped the Bulls pull within one with 6:37 left in the half. The two teams then took turns holding the lead and with Hofstra up one, the Bulls got a clutch three from Christensen with seven seconds left as they took a 40-38 lead into the half.

The second half was another story though for the Bulls. The shots that were falling in the first did not in the second and UB continued to have a tough time in the post as Hofstra had 30 rebounds in the half, including 11 on the offensive end. The Bulls led 50-48 with 15:20 left in the half when the Pride went on a 10-0 run and took the lead for good. A Brittany Hedderson three cut the lead to five with 5:47 left in the game, but the Bulls couldn't get any closer. Hofstra finished the game hitting eight of its last 10 free throws.

"I thought Hofstra did a fantastic job on the boards," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "We gave up 22 offensive rebounds and you can't win a game when you allow that many second-chance opportunities. That was the game right there."

The Bulls were led by 13 points from Fortman, who had three rebounds and one steal. Christensen had a career-high 11 points, all in the first half, while adding eight rebounds and tying a career-best with three steals. Junior Kourtney Brown had to sit for most of the first half due to foul trouble, but still finished the game with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Brown also had her first two blocks of the season. Freshman Chrissy Cooper had five points and a team-high three assists.

Hofstra had three players in double figures led by 17 points and 15 rebounds from Shante Evans. Candice Bellocchio added 12 points, five boards and three assists.

Following their two-game road trip to start the season the Bulls will come home to Alumni Arena on Saturday as they host Temple at 2:00 pm.