Women's Basketball Welcomes Duquesne To Alumni Arena On Sunday
12/5/2015 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
GAME NOTES (.PDF)
BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's basketball team will defend its perfect home record (3-0) at Alumni Arena Sunday at 2:00 pm against the Duquesne Dukes (6-1). The Bulls enter the game ranked No. 29 nationally in RPI, which mathematically measures strength of schedule and performance.
The Bulls' pristine defensive numbers took a slight hit after they allowed 79 points and 45.5 percent 3-point shooting in a 79-36 loss to the Hofstra Pride Thursday, but they still rank 10th in all of Division I women's college basketball in opponent points per game (51). They stole the ball 10 times and forced 17 turnovers against the Pride -- marks near the team's season average -- and the expectations for this defense remain high as they seek to limit opponents to 59 points or fewer every game.
Junior Joanna Smith, UB's leading scorer at 15.9 points per game, was was named the MAC East Co-Player of the Week for the first time in her career. She's led the Bulls in scoring in five times.
Buffalo now turns its attention to the Duquesne Dukes who will provide another tough test. They compete in one of the best women's basketball mid-major conferences in the nation, the Atlantic-10, and were selected to finish third in the preseason coaches' poll behind George Washington and 2015 NCAA tournament Elite 8 participant, Dayton -- both of which are receiving votes in national polls.
This season has been one challenge after another. The Bulls aced each test en route to a 6-0 record and one of the best defenses in the nation, but Thursday they were handed their first loss.
After an undefeated November and the best start to the season the program's seen since the 2000-01 season, the Bulls must conquer yet another challenge: erasing a disappointing loss from their memory and moving on.
It was a down offensive night across the board versus Hofstra. Smith led all scorers with nine points. Brittany Morrison and Karin Moss combined for 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench adding two blocks and two steals, respectively.
The game against Duquesne is about how the Bulls respond. They're quick and athletic and push the ball hard, but were thwarted from the start against Hofstra, finishing with just two fastbreak points. Coming off a game they never led, getting out of the gate aggressively with a quick start would help even more putting the previous game in the rearview mirror to make a statement.
Bench Contributions
The Bulls are a deep team with nine players averaging double-figure minutes and reserves contributing about 30 percent of the scoring output this season. Forwards Mariah Suchan and Morrison, as well as Moss, have been critical off the bench.
The sophomore Suchan and freshman Morrison play important minutes at the 4/5 positions when the Bulls want a small and speedy lineup on the floor. They combine for 8.7 points and 8.6 rebounds. Their defense of larger post players and help defense significantly contribute to the Bulls' steady defense.
Moss comes off the bench when the Bulls want to inject an energy spark. Her 4.6 points, 2 steals and 2.9 rebounds come up big when play is stagnant. She has the ability to hound and frustrate defenders while turning defense into offense.
Tip is 2 p.m. Sunday from Alumni Arena. Join me for the pre-game show at 1:30 on Buffalo's ESPN 1520 or streaming online.
