University at Buffalo
10-6 (2-3MAC)
Akron
9-7 (3-2MAC)
Women's Hoops Downed At Home By Akron, 69-61
1/16/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo, the State University of New York women's basketball team (10-6, 2-3 MAC) dropped a home contest to the Akron Zips on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena, 69-61. The loss for UB is their second-straight loss in MAC play.
"I don't know how you get these players better shots," stated head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "Our post players didn't come to play today and they need to step up in order for us to succeed."
The first quarter was a tightly contested 10 minutes as the Zips were able to come out on top, 13-12. The Bulls got out to a quick start as Joanna Smith hit the opening shot of the game before Cassie Oursler scored four straight. UB took their biggest lead of the game with six minutes left in the first quarter as Smith drilled her first three-pointer of the game, giving UB the 9-5 lead. The Zips were able to close out the quarter on a 8-3 run to take the lead.
After Courtney Wilkins opened up the second quarter with a layup to give UB the one-point lead, the Zips went on a 10-0 run to take the 23-14 edge. Stephanie Reid nailed her lone three-pointer of the game with 12 seconds left in the first half but the Zips responded with a three of their own to take the five point lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Zips started the third quarter with a lot of energy and outscored the Bulls 19-11 in the quarter to take the 13 point lead into the final 10 minutes. Hannah Plybon took over in the third quarter as she was netted back-to-back three's to give the Zips the unsurmountable lead.
The Bulls continued to fight in the final quarter as they were able to climb back into the game, closing the deficit to as little as six with just under a minute to play. The Bulls were able to outscore the Zips 25-20 in the final 10 minutes as Smith netted a team-high seven points in the quarter.
Smith led the Bulls in scoring for the 12th time of the season as she netted 16 points to go along with a career-high six steals and four rebounds. Oursler finished off her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds in 13 minutes of action while Reid also broke into double digits with 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
For the game, the Zips shot 39% from the floor while the Bulls were held to 29.2% shooting on the afternoon. The Bulls led the rebounding battle, 46-43, and were able to score 23 second chance points off of 17 offensive rebounds. The Bulls bench continued to play solid minutes, outscoring the Zips 17-9 for the game.
The Bulls return home on Wednesday night as they play host to Western Michigan at 7:00 pm at Alumni Arena.
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