Bulls Open Up MAC Play At Eastern Michigan On Saturday
1/1/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - Owning their best start to the season in the last 15 years, the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York women's basketball team will commence the Mid-American Conference portion of the season Saturday, Jan. 2, when they travel to Ypsilanti, MI, to face the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
This matchup pits the MAC's top offense and top defense in both teams' conference opener. UB's top 25-ranked defense has propelled them to an 8-3 record during the nonconference slate of the 2015-16 season. Eastern Michigan leads the conference scoring 78.5 points per game.
In their final tuneup before facing EMU, the Bulls defeated Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., Tuesday, 66-53, matching their season-high scoring output which they reached on Nov. 28 against the University of Central Florida. Unlike the come-from-behind win against Niagara before the holiday break, the Bulls took the lead six minutes into the contest and never relinquished it.
Junior transfer and Grand Island native, Cassie Oursler, in her Bulls' debut, put up 12 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench, marking UB's second double-double effort this season. Joanna Smith continued her solid offense, scoring 24 points in the win. The junior, who was recently named the MAC East Division Player of the Week has poured in 50 points over the last two games -- both wins.
Entering the MAC season, EMU, the West Division leader, Ohio, Ball State and Buffalo possess the top winning percentages. UB is out to prove they, again, deserve one of the all-important top-4 seeds to the MAC postseason tournament.
Cassie's Debut
Not only had Oursler gone a full calendar year without playing a competitive game before igniting UB to its second straight win against the Pioneers -- it had been even longer since she reached the floor, playing only two games in her sophomore season as she dealt with an injury. She says it took patience, but she's happy to finally have games to look forward to.
"It was definitely frustrating," the 6-foot-3 forward said prior to the SHU game, "but I knew the circumstance and I knew I was finally going to get to this day where I was able to join them. Also, all this time off allowed me to grow as a player and I think I definitely got to work on myself as a solid post player and Coach Jack definitely helped me with that from all the time I've spent with her."
Oursler, who competed in the NCAA tournament her freshman year in 2013-14, brings experience, competitiveness and size to the Bulls.
Jo Makes Them Go
The junior Mississippi native became the second Bull the last four seasons to rack up two MAC East Player of the Week honors in a single season, joining current assistant coach Kristen Sharkey. If she keeps playing like she has the last two games, it's possible she'll receive more recognition.
Smith matched her career-high 26 points in the Niagara win Dec. 21 and came two points off that Tuesday against Sacred Heart. She's averaging 15.8 points per game this season, but the last two efforts have been particularly productive and effective. Shooting 62 percent the last two games (18-for-29 combined), the guard also has pulled down 12 boards, making her the second-leading rebounder on the team at 5.4 per game.
Scouting the Eagles
EMU, which advanced to the MAC title game last year, is a high-flying, high-scoring team featuring three of the MAC's top 12 scorers. They were picked to take the MAC West in the preseason coaches' poll. The Bulls' defense, which feeds of deflections and steals, will be challenged Saturday. EMU's ranks 10th in the nation with just 12.4 turnovers per game. Just like the Bulls they've only deviated from their starting line-up twice.
Led by 5-foot-2 guard Cha Sweeney's 19.1 points per game, the Eagles have spun off five straight wins. Teammate Janay Morton, the team's second-leading scorer with 14.6 points, leads the MAC with 3.1 steals per game. Sera Ozelci is the top three-point threat, connecting on 40.1 percent.
Tip-off is 2:30 p.m. Join me, Sloane Martin, for the pregame show at 2 on ESPN 1520 AM and streaming online.
