University at Buffalo
2-510-8; MAC
Miami (OH)
2-58-10; MAC
Miami (OH) Pulls Away Late; Downs Women's Hoops, 69-58
1/23/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, OH – The University at Buffalo, the State University of New York women's basketball team dropped their fourth straight Mid-American Conference game on Saturday afternoon on the road at Miami (OH), 69-58. The loss drops the Bulls record to 10-8 overall and 2-5 in MAC play.
"We just have to find our energy," said head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "We didn't have any today and that cost us this game."
The Bulls got out to a slow start offensively on Saturday after Joanna Smith started the game with a jumper to give UB the early 2-0 lead. With the score 5-4 in favor of the home team, the RedHawks used a 7-0 run to take the 12-4 edge. A pair of Stephanie Reid layups and Smith free throws were the final points of the quarter for the Bulls as Miami finished the opening 10 minutes leading 19-10, powered by eight free throws on 12 attempts.
The UB offense continued to struggle on the offensive end of the court but their defense tightened up, allowing just nine points in the quarter. The Bulls were able to outscore the RedHawks by three in the quarter as Smith notched five straight points after a Gabi Bade free throw. Courtney Wilkins converted on an offensive rebound and layup before Reid finished off the scoring with four free throws down the stretch to make the score 28-22 in favor of the home team at the end of the first half.
The Bulls shot just 19.4% (7-for-36) from the floor in the opening half while the RedHawks shot 37.5% and held the 27-20 edge in rebounds after 20 minutes of action.
The Bulls came out with more intensity in the third quarter as Reid and Cassie Oursler converted on layups that were countered by a pair of RedHawks layups. With the score 32-26 in favor of Miami, the Bulls went on a quick 7-0 spurt to take their first lead since the first quarter, sparked by five points from Smith and a layup from Bade. AFter a pair of Miami buckets, the Bulls cut their deficit to two points as Reid drilled a straight away jumper. The RedHawks hit a prayer of a three-pointer at the buzzer of the third to take the 44-39 lead into the final quarter.
The Bulls cut the RedHawks lead to just two points after three straight points from Reid but Miami was able to go on a 8-0 run to increase their lead to 10 and never looked back. The RedHawks pushed their lead to as many as 16 before Camera Miley scored five straight points and Bade sank a pair of free throws to close out the game.
Smith continued to produce the points for the Bulls as she notched 22 points, surpassing the 20-point plateau for the ninth time this season. Smith also finished with five rebounds and three steals while going a career-best 8-for-9 from the charity stripe. Reid had another strong game offensively, finishing with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals while Oursler finished with a team-high nine rebounds and four points in the loss.
The UB offense couldn't get on track on Saturday as they shot their third lowest percentage from the floor all season long, 26.1% (18-for-69). UB was also outrebounded 48-36 by the RedHawks while forcing 29 turnovers that turned into 20 points for the Bulls. Miami finished 20-for-29 from the charity stripe while UB shot a season-best 18-for-21 (85.7%) on freebees.
UB will have a week off before they travel to DeKalb, IL to take on Northern Illinois on Saturday, January 30. Tip between the Bulls and Huskies is set for 2:00 pm.
