University at Buffalo
5-0
UCF
3-2
Women's Hoops Stays Unbeaten; Downs Central Florida 66-60
11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Post game interview - Karin Moss
ORLANDO, FL – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York women's basketball team (5-0, 0-0 MAC) collected their first come-from-behind victory of the season on Saturday afternoon as they overcame a four point halftime deficit to earn the 66-60 win. Katherine Ups had an impressive game for the Bulls as she recorded career-highs in points (14) and rebounds (12) in her first career double-double.
The Bulls entered the fourth period trailing UCF 46-44 but the deficit didn't last long as Stephanie Reid was able to tie the score at 46 with a pair of free throws just 22 seconds in. The Bulls answered every time the Knights tried to pull away as UCF last lead of the game came with 4:48 left, 55-54. Senior Karin Moss hit a clutch three-pointer to take the 57-55 lead and the Bulls never looked back.
With the game tied at 59, Moss hit the biggest deep ball of the season for the Bulls to give them the 62-59 lead after a nice pass from Reid. Freshman Brittany Morrison wrapped up the scoring for UB as she collected an offensive rebound and tipped in a shot to seal the game for the Bulls.
The Bulls were able to jump out to the quick lead in the first quarter as Joanna Smith opened the scoring with a three-pointer and Reid followed that up with a pretty drive and layup to give UB the early 5-2 lead. After a Moss layup gave the Bulls the 13-9 lead, Katherine Ups closed out the scoring in the first with a deep ball to give the Bulls the 16-11 lead after one.
The UB offense struggled in the second quarter to get anything going as the Knights were able to hit six shots in the quarter for 19 points as they took their first lead of the game. A Kayla Thigpen three at the halftime buzzer gave the Knights the 30-26 lead after 20 minutes.
Despite the four-point disadvantage at half, the Bulls forced 12 Central Florida turnovers and were able to notch four steals including three off the bench from Moss.
The Bulls were able to cut their halftime deficit to two entering the final quarter as Katherine Ups finished the quarter with seven points. Moss closed out the scoring with a nice drive and pull up jumper to bring the Bulls within 46-44.
The Bulls were able to overcome their first fourth quarter deficit of the season to collect their fifth straight win to open the season, their best start to a season since 2000-01.
The Bulls had a season-high four players score in double figures on Saturday as Reid led the way with a season-high 16 points including a career-high eight points in the fourth quarter on 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Katherine Ups finished with her career-high 14 points while Moss had 12 points, four boards and four steals off the bench for UB. Smith scored in double figures for the eighth time in her last 11 games for the Bulls as she finished with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The stingy UB defense forced 19 turnovers on Saturday while they held the Knights to 30.4% shooting from the floor and just 24.1% shooting in the second half. The Knights held the slim 42-38 edge in rebounds while UB had four blocks in the game.
The Bulls will return to the court at UCF on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 pm as they will take on the Clemson Tigers in the second game of the UCF Thanksgiving Tournament.
