Bulls Aim To Snap Three-Game Skid At Niagara On Monday Night
12/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - Following a 12-day layoff from competitive action due to fall semester finals, University at Buffalo women's basketball will make the 24-mile trek north to face western New York Big 4 opponent Niagara University Monday.
The Bulls (6-3) have won 10 straight against the Purple Eagles (1-7) and have split the other two Big 4 games this non-conference season, but are currently on a three-game skid. As the Mid-American Conference portion of the season looms with the opener Jan. 2, point guard Stephanie Reid says the time off has been beneficial.
"We've learned what we needed to work on," the sophomore said. "We've had a lot of time since the St. Bonaventure game (Dec. 9) to work on that and get together. We showed against Clemson that even when we're down we can get back and that's through communication, so that's something we've really been working on."
UB features a top-75 RPI nationally which ranks third in the MAC. Defensively, they're leading the conference in points allowed per game (55) and rank second in turnover margin (2.22) and steals (10.8). Their quality defense (which forced 22 turnovers and compiled 14 steals in their most recent game against the Bonnies) ranks 40th in the country, tied with the UConn Huskies. Both Reid and senior Karin Moss rank in the top-5 in the MAC in steals per game.
Now, before another short break for the Christmas holiday, the Bulls will try to continue to build a strong foundation for the MAC season which is fast-approaching.
Scouting Niagara
The Purple Eagles' win this season came in overtime against Cleveland State at home on Nov. 27. They've been without leading scorer, preseason All-Metro Atlantic Conference first-team selection Victoria Rampado, due to injury for all but three games this season. She had been putting up 13.3 points and 8 rebounds on 41 percent shooting before sitting out. Both Kaylee Stroemple and Sam Lapszynski have filled the scoring gap averaging 12.7 and 12.1 points per game, respectively. Defensively, Niagara's allowing an average of 75.3 points per contest.
A win over the Purple Eagles would give Buffalo a 2-1 Big 4 record this season, and a 5-1 mark against the local Division I basketball programs the last two years.
Not Home for the Holidays
Technically many of the Bulls will be headed home after this Niagara game to be with family for Christmas, but as a team, they haven't seen much of Alumni Arena this holiday season. With just one home game this month back on Dec. 6 the Bulls have had to make due on the road where they have a 2-2 record.
Two of three Big 4 matchups have been on the road this season. UB has split with St. Bonaventure and Canisius.
Join me, Sloane Martin, for the pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN 1520 and streaming online.
