University at Buffalo
10-6 (2-3MAC)
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Western Michigan
11-6 (3-2MAC)
Bulls Fall At Home To Western Michigan In High-Scoring Affair, 92-78
1/20/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo, the State University of New York women's basketball team (10-7, 2-4 MAC) dropped their third straight game on Wednesday night in front of the home fans to the Western Michigan Broncos, 92-78. The 78 points was a season-high for the UB offense as Joanna Smith and Stephanie Reid combined to score 49 in the loss.
The Bulls were to jump out to a quick lead on Wednesday as Liisa Ups and Smith each scored to give UB the early 4-0 lead. After a Western Michigan three-pointer, the Bulls went on a 7-0 run behind four Smith points, a jumper from Reid and a free throw from Liisa Ups, making the score 11-3. The Broncos then outscored UB 12-5 over the next four minutes before the Bulls used a 5-2 run to close out the first quarter behind a Smith three and a Brittany Morrison layup, making the score 21-17.
The Broncos took over control of the game in the second quarter as Jessica Jessing hit a three-pointer at the 7:31 mark of the quarter to give the Broncos their first lead of the game and they never looked back, leading UB the rest of the way. Reid finished the second quarter with 10 points but the Broncos closed out the half with the 40-34 lead.
The Bulls came out with some energy in the third quarter as the two teams went back-and-forth over 10 minutes of play. The Bulls were able to cut into the six-point Western Michigan lead as they outscored the Broncos 21-20 in the quarter. Ayoleka Sodade and Camera Miley came in off the bench for the Bulls and sparked the team as Sodade came away with three steals and a layup in the quarter while Miley finished with four points and a steal. Smith closed out the scoring in the quarter with a long three-pointer to cut the Bulls deficit to five, 60-55.
Another Smith three cut the Bulls deficit to just four, 62-58, after a nice pass from Miley but UB wouldn't get any closer down the stretch as the Broncos offense caught fire. The Broncos outscored the Bulls 32-23 in the final 10 minutes, the most points UB has allowed in a quarter all season long.
Reid finished off her great offensive performance with a team and career-high 25 points on 9-for15 from the floor and 5-for-7 from the charity stripe while also recording five steals and three assists. Smith got back on track as she finished with 24 points on 9-for-18 from the floor and 4-for-10 from behind the arc. Her 24-point performance marks the eighth time this season she has gone over the 20-point plateau. Cassie Oursler scored in double figures for the second straight game as she notched 11 points and six boards in the loss. Morrison led all bench players with five points while Sodade finished with a career-high three steals.
The Broncos offense was clicking on all cylinders on Wednesday night as they shot 56.9% from the floor and 72.7% (8-for11) from behind the arc while the UB offense shot 47.5% overall, their second best shooting night of the season. The Bulls were outrebounded 33-24 but the two teams tied in second chance scoring, 10-10. The UB defense forced 21 turnovers that turned into 24 points while the Broncos forced 16 UB turnovers for 25 points on the night.
The Bulls will return to the hardwood on Saturday afternoon as they travel to take on the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Millett Hall. Tip for Saturday's conference game is set for 2:00 pm.
