University at Buffalo
7-3
Niagara
1-8
Women's Hoops Ends Three-Game Skid; Downs Niagara On The Road, 57-48
12/21/2015 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York women's basketball team (7-3, 0-0 MAC) got back on the winning track on Monday night as they defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles, 57-48. Joanna Smith tied a career-high with 26 points in the victory for the Bulls on 10-for-15 from the floor.
"I am so humbled by the opportunity to be a part of witnessing young kids aspire and become something bigger than themselves," said head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "Today, Joanna Smith obviously did well with her 26 points but to see someone like Camera Miley step up and really be the reason why the game turned, was really a beautiful thing."
The turning point in the game came in the third quarter as the Bulls came out of the locker room with a different look in their eye and put together a complete quarter, outscoring the Purple Eagles 19-12 in the quarter. Smith exploded for the Bulls as she notched 10 points to give the Bulls the four-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Mariah Suchan was all over the court in the third as she helped extend multiple plays including back-to-back Mirte Scheper layups.
The Bulls offense struggled to start the first quarter as they were only able to score four points while the Purple Eagles grew the lead to 15-4. Smith and Suchan were the lone UB players to record a bucket in the first quarter.
The Bulls began to climb back into the game in the second quarter as Smith was able to score eight points. Liisa Ups scored her lone bucket of the first half, a nice driving layup in traffic to make the score 27-21 in favor of Niagara. The Bulls defense forced a turnover in the final five seconds and Smith raced down to the other end and scored a layup at the buzzer to cut the UB deficit to 27-23 at half.
After the Bulls gained their first lead of the game in the third quarter, they opened the fourth quarter and extended their lead. The Bulls raced out to a game-high 12-point lead in the quarter behind six-straight points from junior Camera Miley. The spark from Miley helped UB cruise to a nine-point victory.
The Bulls were led offensively by Smith who finished with 26 points on 10-for-15 with five rebounds and three steals while Suchan grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and scored four points. Liisa Ups played a season-high 34 minutes while notching a career-high nine assists, five boards and four points while Miley came off the bench for a season-high eight points.
The Bulls shot a season-high 49% from the floor (24-49) while only going 2-for-12 from behind the arc. UB held the 39-33 edge in rebounds while forcing 18 Niagara turnovers. The Purple Eagles finished the game going 10-for-17 from the charity stripe while the Bulls struggled, going 7-for-18.
The Bulls will return to the hardwood on Tuesday, December 29 as they travel to take on the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Tip is slated for 7:00 pm in Fairfield, CT.
