University at Buffalo
5-4
Niagara
2-6
Bulls Grind Out Road Win at Niagara
12/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY - Thanks to a trio of double-doubles, a first for the team in the Division I era, the Buffalo women's basketball team came back from an early deficit to beat Big 4 rival Niagara (2-7) 78-70 at the Gallagher Center Saturday afternoon. Margeaux Gupilan had 13 points with 10 assists, Christa Baccas had 13 points with 13 rebounds, and Kristen Sharkey had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead UB (6-4).
The Purple Eagles came out of the gate hot, and set the offensive tone that both teams would abide by for the first half. Val McQuade would be the key all afternoon for the host, scoring 13 points in the first half before scoring all but 13 of the team's second half points en route to a 31-point day. The Eagles also had Gabby Baldasare go double digits in scoring, with 10 points at halftime, but she was held scoreless for the rest of the game.
For as much success as Niagara had offensively, the Bulls found an unlikely method to find its way to a 44-39 halftime lead. Coming into the game, the team was shooting just 21 percent from three point range for the season, but the bounces finally starting falling their way. Headlined by Gupilan's 2-3 performance and bolstered by a 3-4 half out of Mackenzie Loesing, Buffalo would shoot 7-12 from deep to turn a six point deficit at the 17:47 mark into a six point lead with 4:25 to go in the half. Gupilan did a little bit of everything in the half, with eight points, five assists and two rebounds. Loesing would lead UB in scoring, hitting for 13 with a pair of steals.
After combining for 83 points in the first half, the two teams became mired in foul trouble and turnover issues in the final 20 minutes, and neither would shoot for better than 35 percent from the field. The defensive pressure was ramped up by UB, leading to 14 second half turnovers committed by Niagara (eight coming off steals). McQuade was again the go-to option for Niagara, but a commitment to man-to-man defense by the Bulls would limit her to a strong 10 minutes to start the second half before she would be held without a field goal for the final seven minutes of the game.
The inside duo of Baccas and Sharkey would dictate the play of the second half, combining for 16 points and 15 rebounds. It would be Baccas' first double-double of the season, while Sharkey heated up in time to notch her second double-double in as many games and the third overall this season. Gupilan would finish her day with 13 points and 10 assists, along with five steals. It was the first time a UB player would reach double figures for assists since Feb. 16, 2011, when current assistant Ashley Zuber had 11 against Ohio.
Buffalo dominated the glass for a 48-34 advantage, recording more offensive rebounds (25) than Niagara had defensive (23). With the win, the Bulls finish the Big 4 season with a 2-1 record and now have won nine straight against Niagara.
After enjoying the Christmas break, the team will finally return home for its first home game in nearly a month when it hosts Roberts Wesleyan on New Year's Day. First tip is scheduled for 2 pm.
