University at Buffalo
9-18, 7-7MAC
Bowling Green
18-9, 9-5MAC
Bulls Drop Hard Fought Road Contest At Bowling Green, 56-43
2/28/2013 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BOWLING GREEN, OH – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team fought hard for 40 minutes against the defending MAC East Champions, but a significant disadvantage at the free throw line proved costly as the Bulls fell 56-43. The loss drops UB to 9-18 and 7-7 in the MAC.
Both teams started out slow and Buffalo really struggled offensively over the first 13 minutes as it had just five points and was down 19-5. However, UB continued to fight and cut into the Bowling Green lead as it hit six of its final eight shots in the half. The Bulls went into the break down just eight at 27-19 despite a 12-0 deficit in free throw attempts over the first 20 minutes.
The Falcons extended their lead to 35-21 early in the second half, but the Bulls responded with a 9-0 run, started on a three pointer from Sloane Walton and ending on a fast break layup from freshman Mackenzie Loesing to put Buffalo within five at 35-30 with 13:04 left. The Bulls looked to have gotten a big defensive stop on the next possession, but a loose ball foul gave the ball back to the Falcons and triggered a 14-4 run, putting them back up by 15. Buffalo made one more charge and pulled within 9 with 2:04 left, but a flagrant 2 foul called on Loesing allowed BG to score four points on the next possession, the final points of the game.
The stats were nearly identical for the two teams as both hit 17 field goals, with Buffalo hitting one more basket from three point range. The Bulls, who had 14 turnovers in the first half, finished with just 16 for the game, the same as Bowling Green. The two differences in the game were the rebounding margin, which was 43-33 in favor of BG and the free throw shooting as the Falcons went 17-of-22 from the charity stripe and the Bulls just 3-of-4.
Loesing finished with a game-high 15 points before fouling out, while Margeaux Gupilan added 10 points, all coming in the first half. Sophomore Christa Baccas added seven points, a team-high nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals, while Kristen Sharkey added eight rebounds. Redshirt junior Cherridy Thornton added five points and Walton had three.
Bowling Green (18-9, 9-5) was led by 12 points from Jillian Halfhill and 10 points and 10 rebounds from Chrissy Steffen.
The Bulls have completed their regular season road schedule and will now open a two-game homestand to close out the season. UB hosts Kent State on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. The Bulls will be honoring senior Nicki Hopkins prior to the game.
