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Bulls Host Ohio for Thursday Matinee
2/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - Fans are encouraged to come out and have lunch with the Bulls Thursday afternoon, as the team hosts Mid-American Conference rival Ohio at noon. Both teams are coming off losses over the weekend, and are looking to improve their stock in the quickly approaching MAC tournament. The team will offer a special ticket package for the game, with a special $8 ticket that includes admission to the game and a lunch combo. Tickets are still available by calling 1-877-UB-THERE.
Against the Akron Zips this past Sunday, Mackenzie Loesing and Kristen Sharkey each scored 30 points, but the Akron offense would not be stopped, shooting over 55 percent for the game. The duo hitting 30 points marked the first time in the Division I era that two players went for 30 in a single game, but foul problems in the first half allowed Akron the window it would need to claim the win on its home court.
The Bobcats have been streaking through the MAC season, winning three straight early on before dropping the last five games against conference opponents. With a roster of six freshmen and three sophomores led by just one junior and two seniors, the team has had its share of ups and downs under first year head coach Bob Boldon. After making the All-Freshman team last season, guard Kiyanna Black again leads the team in 2013-14, averaging 13.5 points per game. She has been a volume shooter, taking 90 more shots than any other player despite ranking fifth on the team in minutes played per game.
Black's game has been a microcosm of the team in general, as Ohio has attempted 115 more shots this season than its opponents, but have actually made 53 fewer field goals. The team has been especially fond of the deep ball, attempting almost 27 three pointers per game. Defense has been a main soft spot for Ohio, allowing opponents to shoot 44 percent per game.
In the preseason coaches poll, Ohio was picked to finish fifth in the MAC East, after recording a 6-23 overall record with a 1-15 record in the conference season.
Buffalo leads the all-time series 15-12, and has won three straight and five out of the last six meetings between the two teams. Last season, the UB defense held Ohio to just 15 points in the first half en route to a 56-35 win in Athens. For the game, Ohio would shoot just 24 percent and made 14 field goals.
Around the MAC, Central Michigan remains the lone unbeaten in the conference after routing Ohio by 17 at home, and Bowling Green sits atop the East division with a 8-1 record following a win over rival Toledo. The loss to Akron on Sunday dropped the Bulls to 5-4, tied with Western Michigan for the fourth-best record in the conference. If the season ended today, Buffalo would be the fifth seed, with the top four seeds in the MAC receiving a bye through the first round of the tournament.
For fans that cannot make it out to Alumni Arena, Doug Page will be make the call on 1270 AM "The Fan".
