2-2
Duquesne
3-2
Bulls Drop Afternoon Contest at Duquesne
11/20/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH, PA - The Buffalo women's team traveled to Duquesne Wednesday for a morning tip off against the Dukes (3-2). Backed by a game-high 25 points from Raegan Moore and costly turnovers by UB (2-2), the Dukes earned a 78-55 win. Kristen Sharkey led the Bulls with 14 points, while Christa Baccas had one of her best all-around games of the season.
The game was tight through the first three minutes, but live-ball turnovers committed by the UB offense allowed a 5-2 advantage to become a 15-5 deficit in just under four minutes of game time. Ending the half with a 37-23 lead, Duquesne shot 50 percent from the field and forced 11 UB turnovers. The trio of Sharkey (nine points), Mackenzie Loesing (seven), and Baccas (seven) would account for all of the team's points in the half.
Buffalo would make the second half a competitive one at the start, using strong effort on the glass to even out Duquesne's offense. After being out-rebounded 16-15 at half, the Bulls would ultimately own a 43-35 advantage in rebounds at the final horn. That was thanks in large part to Baccas and freshman Alexus Malone, who fought through serious height disadvantages to grab seven and eight rebounds, respectively. Of Malone's eight total boards, five would come on the offensive end. The Bulls' offense was plagued by point-blank misses, though, with numerous open layups going unconverted.
In the second half, a quick 7-2 run for UB would make it a 43-32 contest, but back-to-back "and-one" lay ups by the Dukes would quell the comeback attempt. A three from Camera Miley and a two from Sharkey would have UB down 49-37 at the 11:24 mark, but that would be the closest the team would come in the loss.
Baccas would finish with a line of nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks, all while committing no turnovers. Malone would score five points to go with her season high in rebounds, and Camera Miley had 10 points while leading the offense late in the game. Buffalo was undone by points off turnover (a 27-13 advantage for Duquesne) and poor free throw shooting in the second half, hitting just 6-16.
After playing its third game in a week, the team will have a full week to prepare for its next game, at home against rival Canisius. The Wednesday matchup with the Griffs will tip off at 7 pm at Alumni Arena.
