University at Buffalo
11-10, 4-4MAC
Ball State
9-12, 4-4MAC
Quick Start Leads Bulls To 77-61 Win Over Ball St.
1/29/2011 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's basketball team led wire-to-wire on Saturday afternoon defeating Ball State, 77-61, at Alumni Arena. It was UB's first home win over Ball State since 2001 as the Bulls improve to 11-10 on the season and 4-4 in the MAC.
UB jumped out to a 22-7 lead over the first eight minutes of the half, with 11 of those points coming from senior Kourtney Brown. Another 13-7 run gave the Bulls a 21-point advantage with 6:10 left in the opening half on another jumper from Brown. UB would claim its largest lead of 22 on a jumper from Jessica Fortman and would go into the break up 20 at 46-26.
The Cardinals began to fight back in the second half as they went on a 12-4 run over the first four minutes of the half. The Cardinals got the lead down to as little as 10 at the 12:17 mark, but Fortman responded with a huge three pointer. Up 66-53 with 9:25 left, the Bulls went on an 8-0 run to get their lead back to 21 on a basket from Fortman.
"Getting a win feels great, especially being able to get one at home today," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "I think this team is motivating each other and it really shows in the way we are playing out their on the court. I think our chemistry out there is very solid right now."
Brown led the way with 29 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth straight double-double and the 43rd of her career. She also added three blocks, an assist and a steal. Senior Ashley Zuber had a career-high 16 points, the second time in as many games that she has set a career high. Zuber went 6-of-8 from the field and had four assists. Fortman scored 15 points off the bench, adding five rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Junior Beth Christensen picked up the start and had a season-high 10 rebounds, while adding a career-best five steals, including four of those in the first half.
The Cardinals had three players in double figures led by 19 points from Emily Maggert and 13 points from Ty'Ronda Benning. Amber Crago chipped in 10 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting.
The Bulls remain home on Thursday night when they host Western Michigan at Alumni Arena. Tipoff with the Broncos is set for 7:00 pm.
