8-6, 1-2MAC
Miami (OH)
3-11, 0-3MAC
UB Closes Out MAC Road Trip With Dominating 71-51 Victory at Miami (OH)
1/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, OH – The University at Buffalo, State University of New York women's basketball team powered to a 71-51 Mid-American Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Miami (OH). The 20-point advantage was UB's largest margin of victory this season.
The Bulls (8-6, 1-2 MAC) placed four in double-figures against the RedHawks (3-11, 0-3 MAC). Senior captain Christa Baccas led the game with a double-double, her second of the season and 13th of her career, of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Classmate Kristen Sharkey flirted with one as well with nine and nine.
"It feels great to get the win," said third-year head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "I thought that we did a tremendous job getting back to the basics of the box out, the defense, the extra pass – the hustle plays. I think that if we continue to do those type of things, whether we score or not, we're going to be in a good position."
UB improved to 3-0 on the season when leading by 10 or more at the half. It held a 42-30 edge, its largest intermission gap of 2014-15. UB led for 34:45 and the game was knotted for 1:38. The RedHawks led the game for 2:37, scoring the first three points of the contest. Sharkey hit a pair of free throws and junior Mackenzie Loesing drained a three to secure UB's infinite lead. A three-point game at 13:29, UB surged to take a 19-9 lead on a 7-0 run.
The Bulls continued to power ahead in the second, taking a 54-36 lead at 14:26, but UB would not score again until a Camera Miley three at 6:03. The RedHawks had pulled within 54-47 with 11 unanswered during UB's drought. Miley's three tipped off 12 straight for the Bulls en route to their largest lead of the season, 71-48, with 12 ticks on the clock.
Joining Baccas in double digits, Loesing tallied 13, sophomore Alexus Malone 12 and redshirt-sophomore Rachael Gregory 10. Miley dished out a career-best six assists and Loesing matched a season-best with four steals.
Miami was led by Baleigh Reid's 14 points. Courtney Larson chipped in 11 and Hannah McCue added eight. Ana Richter grabbed six boards for the RedHawks.
UB connected on .451 percent of its shots, while Miami hit .306 percent. The Bulls also cleaned up at the line, swishing .759 percent. They led the rebounding count, 45-34, and made 15 steals to Miami's six.
The RedHawks lead the series, 18-13, though UB has now claimed four straight and five of the last six.
The Bulls return to Alumni Arena for a pair of MAC contests facing Western Michigan on Tuesday at 7pm and hosting Ball State on Saturday at 1 pm.
"It's always great to get back in front of the home crowd," said Legette-Jack. "Bigtime basketball is coming back home, Buffalo fans come out and support us."
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