5-14 (0-5MAC)
Kent State
3-12 (2-3MAC)
Second Half Rally Leads Kent State Past Buffalo, 85-73
1/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KENT, OH – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team shot a season-high 51.9% from the floor on Thursday night, but the host Kent State Golden Flashes shot just as well, defeating the Bulls, 85-73. The loss drops UB's record to 5-14 and 0-5 in the MAC is it concluded its first round of games against the MAC East.
Both teams shot extremely well as they traded the lead back and forth 19 times. The Bulls got out to an early seven point advantage as senior Teresa Semalulu created her own offense following a steal, putting the Bulls up 19-12 with 13:39 left in the opening half. Six straight Kent State points pulled it back within one and the Golden Flashes eventually took a four-point lead. UB then went on a 14-5 run of its own to go back up by five late in the first half, taking a three-point lead into the break, 41-38.
The Bulls would go on to take a six-point lead four minutes in to the second half on a pair of three pointers from senior Brittany Hedderson. However, Kent State responded with two treys of its own to tie the game yet again. The Bulls would go on to lead one more time as a Semalulu layup put them up 62-61 with 10:27 left. The Golden Flashes answered with a basket and ended the game on a 24-11 run.
Hedderson led the way with 26 points, her fifth straight 20-point game. Semalulu had an outstanding all around game in the defeat with 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. Both the scoring and assist totals were career highs.
Junior Nicki Hopkins and sophomore Margeaux Gupilan each added nine points as both players hit three shots from three-point range. Gupilan added six assists, while Hopkins had two rebounds and a steal. Despite being in foul trouble all night, freshman Christa Baccas had eight points in just 10 minutes. UB also shot a season-high from behind the arc, hitting on 10-of-17 for 58.8%.
Kent State, which improved to 3-3 at home, was led by 26 points from Trisha Krewson, who added eight rebounds and seven assists. Diamon Beckford had 23 points and seven rebounds, while Tamzin Barroilhet finished with 19 points and six assists.
The Bulls will remain on the road Sunday afternoon when they face Northern Illinois. Tip off against the Huskies is set for 4:00 pm EST.
