3-7
Howard
5-5
Bulls Downed By Howard, 81-57
12/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON, DC - The host Howard Lady Bison scored the first 11 points Tuesday night and led wire-to-wire, defeating the University at Buffalo women's basketball team, 81-57. The Bulls had a solid night from behind the arc, but missed layups and turnovers again what doomed them.
Howard scored 11 straight points to start the game before the Bulls scored their first points on a three pointer from Valerie Majewski five and a half minutes into the game. It was a sign of things to come from UB's long range shooting as each of their first three shots were from behind the arc, including two from junior Nicki Hopkins. A third three by Hopkins would pull the Bulls within five at 19-14, but Howard answered with three straight points. UB pulled within five one more time in the first half on a layup from Christa Baccas with 4:08 left in the half, but a 9-3 run for Howard ended the half.
The Bulls got back-to-back threes from senior Brittany Hedderson and Hopkins to begin the second half to again pull within five, but that is as close as they would get. Howard went on a 7-0 run from there and led by double figures for the rest of the game. Howard went on to lead by as many as 26 in the half.
UB was led by a career-high 18 points from Hopkins, who hit 6-of-9 from behind the arc, which was also a career-high. Hedderson added 17 points as she went 4-for-8 from behind the arc. Hedderson added two blocks and three steals. Baccas chipped in 10 points off the bench, adding six rebounds and two blocks.
Sophomore Margeaux Gupilan had six points on two made three pointers, adding a team-high five assists. Senior Beth Christensen did not score, but added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
As a team, the Bulls hit 13-of-23 from behind the arc. The 13 three pointers were just one off the school record of 14, which was set in 1996-97.
The Bulls will have a quick turnaround as they return home on Thursday afternoon when they host Oakland. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.
