University at Buffalo
2-2
Bucknell
1-2
Total Team Effort Leads Bulls Past Bucknell, 72-53
11/21/2010 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, PA – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team shot a season-high 48.3 percent from the floor on Sunday afternoon as the Bulls defeated Bucknell, 72-53, at Sojka Pavilion. The win evens UB's record at 2-2 on the season.
Bucknell hit the first basket of the game, but it would be its only lead of the game. With things tied early on at 7-7, UB went on a 6-0 run to take a 13-7 lead in the contest. Seniors Kourtney Brown and Jessica Fortman combined to score the first 13 points of the game. Bucknell would cut the UB lead to 15-14, but a 15-4 Buffalo run gave the Bulls a 30-18 advantage in the game. With UB up 30-22, the Bulls went on a 9-1 run over the last 3:56 of the first half. Senior Ashley Zuber had seven assists in the first half alone as the Bulls shot 51.5 percent in the opening 20 minutes.
UB extended its run in the second half, beginning on a 10-0 run over the first three minutes. The Bulls held their largest lead of the game at 28 on a jumper from Brittany Hedderson with 13:09 left in the second half. The Bulls led by at least 18 throughout the second half, finally coming away with a 19-point victory.
"It was good to see us playing together and being comfortable together out there on the floor," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "We used a lot of different lineups out there and for the most part I thought the chemistry was there through out. I am really pleased with everybody's contribution today."
The Bulls were led by 24 points and nine rebounds from Brown, her third 20-point game of the season. Brown had her second straight four-block performance, while adding two steals and an assist. Brown was the only double figure scorer, but nine other players found the scoring column as well.
Zuber finished the game with a career-high 11 assists and just one turnover. Her 11 assists are tied for fourth in school history since joining Division I and it is also the most assists by a UB player since Stephanie Bennett had 12 back in 2006. Zuber also finished with six points and two steals.
Hedderson completed the game with a career-high nine rebounds, while also adding eight points, two assists and a steal. Fortman had nine points, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while freshman Kristen Sharkey showed some nice moves down in the low post, finishing with eight points and three rebounds. Bridgette Kendricks had six points and four rebounds, while freshman Rachel Bantelman had four points.
Junior Beth Christensen had two points, four offensive rebounds and a season-high three blocks, while sophomore Nicki Hopkins hit her first three pointer of the season to finish with three points and two assists. Freshman Margeaux Gupilan had two points, an assist and a rebound in the win.
The Bulls now head to the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic where they will face off against Michigan on Friday at 7:15 pm eastern time. UB will play two games there as it also faces William & Mary on Saturday.
