University at Buffalo
8-7, 1-1MAC
Kent State
11-3, 2-0MAC
Buffalo Basketball Opens Home MAC Slate With Saturday Doubleheader
1/8/2011 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - With the start of Mid-American Conference play this Saturday for the University at Buffalo basketball teams, it's not the size of the bull in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the bull. That is the theme for a limited-edition poster giveaway featuring 6'10" forward Mitchell Watt and 5'4" guard Ashley Zuber. The first 500 fans at each game of this Saturday's UB hoops doubleheader will receive the special poster. The UB women face off against Kent State at 5pm and the men take on Bowling Green at 7pm.
The women's team will come into Saturday's game with a 1-0 record in conference play after opening on the road with a win at Akron Wednesday night, 61-45. Kourtney Brown scored a game-high 28 points and fellow senior Jessica Fortman turned in a solid line of five points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals to lead the team to a convincing win.
It will take another team effort to take down the Golden Flashes, who are currently 10-3 overall and 1-0 in the MAC after beating Miami (OH) 76-62 Wednesday. While Kent has an impressive 7-0 record in home and neutral-site games, it has struggled as of late on the road, losing its last three contests as the visiting team. Taisja Jones leads the team with 15.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Game two of the doubleheader will be the MAC opener for both the Buffalo men as well as its opponent Bowling Green (5-9). The Bulls finished its non-conference schedule Monday at Cornell with a 78-66 win over Ivy League power Cornell. Senior sensation Byron Mulkey turned in a powerful line of 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the attack.
The Falcons also have struggled away from home and have a 1-7 record to show for it. The team will arrive in Buffalo with three-game winning streak though, most recently a 67-61 win over St. Louis on the road. Head coach Louis Orr's team has a very balanced attack, with nine players averaging four points or more per game with leading scorer Dee Brown the only player in double digits (11.2 ppg).
Fans can listen to the game on 1230 WECK with Nick Mendola calling the women's game and Josh Whetzel on the call for the men. You can purchase the doubleheader package either the day of the games or through the athletics website.
