(4-2)
Pittsburgh
(4-3)
Bulls Score Big Road Win Over Pittsburgh
12/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH, PA – The Buffalo women's basketball team scored a big win Sunday afternoon, beating ACC member Pittsburgh 66-62 on the road. A quick start and perseverance down the stretch helped the team lead wire-to-wire, and move to 4-2 overall this season, while Pittsburgh falls to 4-3.
Sloane Walton led the team with 13 points and hit two critical free throws in the waning seconds to secure the win, and five UB players reached double figures in scoring for the first time since Feb 26, 2011.
The Bulls were clicking from the opening tip, running out to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes while holding the Panthers to 0-9 shooting from the floor. For the first half overall, the UB defense allowed just nine made field goals, including an 0-8 first half performance from three for Pittsburgh. The equalizer for the host would be at the free throw line, with the Bulls taking just two shots in the half while Pittsburgh would make 7-9. After leading 27-11 with seven minutes to play in the half, Pitt would make a 12-2 run to draw close, but a quick burst to close out the half would give the Bulls a 34-25 lead heading to the locker room. In the half, Pittsburgh would be 9-33 from the field (27.3 percent), the ninth time under head coach Felisha Legette-Jack that the UB defense would limit the opposition to under 30 percent in a single half.
In the second half, Buffalo kicked it off with three straight layups to go up by 13, 40-27, but an ensuing 12-2 run for Pittsburgh would draw the game into a duel that that would prevail for the rest of the game. The UB offense consistently answered any Panther outbursts, keeping them at an arm's length for the entire game. The closest the game would get would be at 64-62, with one second remaining and the Bulls holding possession.
With two minutes to play, a pull-up jumper from Pitt guard Brianna Kiesel would cut the UB lead to four, 59-55, and the Bulls reeling from six missed free throws in its last eight attempts. Neither team would find much offense in the run of play for the final few minutes, but with 31 seconds left and the same score, a huge swing would go in Buffalo's favor.
Running down the clock, the Bulls found themselves need to get the ball in bounds with just four seconds remaining on the shot clock. The pass would find Christa Baccas on the far side of the court, and her attempt would come off as the buzzer sounded. The Pitt defense thought that the shot had not counted, and neglected to box out. That allowed Kristen Sharkey to grab the offensive board and get the ball back out to Margeaux Gupilan, who was fouled. The senior point guard made two free throws to make it 61-55.
"You're only as good as your point guard, and Margeaux really showed poised and confidence and oneness and she commanded excellence from her teammates," Coach Jack said. "As she continues to emerge as a leader we're going to keep getting better."
Pittsburgh would make it a two-possession game, 62-57, with 17 seconds left, and fouled Walton on the inbounds play. Walton would effectively ice it, hitting both for a seven point lead. The Panthers would hit a pair of desperation shots to bring the score to 64-62, but time would run out and Thornton would ice the game with a pair of free throws with milliseconds on the clock.
"When I used to be a player I used to just love these moments, and it wasn't just about the other team but how great this moment is and I told them to just enjoy this moment," Jack said. "We're teaching life lessons out there that are bigger than basketball, and we had one of those moments today."
It was a season-best day for Walton and Thornton, who combined for 24 points while Thornton would also grab seven rebounds and a pair of steals. In a game where size would be a concern on paper, Buffalo claimed a commanding 51-43 rebounding advantage that included 15 offensive caroms. Christa Baccas closed out a dominant week with 14 rebounds and four blocks.
"In any given second you have the right to join us and help us become better and Sloane grabbed those moments… it was just Sloane's time," Jack said. "And how about Cherridy Thornton? She continues to get better and showing that leadership that we need."
Along with Thornton and Walton, Alexus Malone set a new career high with 10 points, Mackenzie Loesing would score 10 points and Sharkey would pitch in 11 while recording eight rebounds, two assists and no turnovers despite receiving the assignment of defending a strong Pitt post rotation.
After winning just one road game in the non-conference schedule last season, the Bulls have already rolled out to a 3-1 record on the road this season. Next up will be a home game on Wednesday against St. Francis (PA). Tip time is scheduled for 7 pm.
