Bulls Cruise Past Mansfield in Exhibition Opener
10/29/2013 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - The UB women's basketball team kicked off the 2013-14 season Tuesday evening, and used an up-tempo offense and its standard suffocating defense to win an easy 94-50 exhibition game against Mansfield. In a contest where all 12 active players saw at least 10 minutes on the floor, the Bulls forced 30 turnovers and dished out 21 assists on the offensive end to overcome a slow start.
The Mountaineers came out strong from the tip, and slowly built up a 9-2 lead on Buffalo after the first four minutes of the game. From that point on, though, the UB defense would force 17 turnovers to end the half and would lead 51-29 after pushing back. The comeback was highlighted by a 24-0 run from the 13:09 mark until 5:21 was on the clock, and Mansfield was held without a made field goal until the 2:14 remained in the first half.
Mackenzie Loesing spearheaded the offensive side of the comeback in the opening frame, scoring 16 points on 6-9 shooting despite playing just 10 minutes. Kristen Sharkey added nine points and three rebounds in nine minutes in the half. The Buffalo bench would out score a shorthanded Mansfield team 27-0, and the 17 turnovers forced by UB was converted into 22 points.
The second half saw an even more opportunistic UB defense fuel the transition game. Starting this season, the women's game will feature a 10-second backcourt violation rule, and Buffalo would use that rule to push the ball up on offense. The team had three different players with three or more assists, highlighted by freshman Camera Miley's eight. For the game, 22 points would come on the fast break, and 39 points would come thanks to UB's 22 steals. Every player recorded at least one steal, led by junior Ayana Bradley's four.
It was an equal-opportunity offense, with five players reaching double figures in head coach Felisha Legette-Jack's new offense. Loesing would finish the game with 20 points to lead all scorers, and Sharkey would wind up with 14 points to go along with seven rebounds, two blocks and three steals. Sloane Walton and Christa Baccas each scored 11 points, highlighted by Baccas' perfect 5-5 day at the free throw line and Walton's three field goals from deep and a pair of steals. Cherridy Thornton scored 10 tough points in the paint, and also showed an edge on the glass that would lead to six rebounds (three offensive).
The future looks promising for the Bulls, who debuted six new players who all contributed in various ways. Aside from Miley's game-high in assists and Bradley's steals, Alexus Malone had nine points, six rebounds and three blocks, Joanna Smith had six points, and Jenna Rickan hit her lone shot attempted, a three pointer in the first half.
Buffalo will play one more exhibition before the regular season, hosting cross-town rival Buffalo State Saturday. Tip time is scheduled for 2 pm.
