University at Buffalo
12-12 (4-9MAC)
Eastern Michigan
16-8 (7-6MAC)
Eastern Michigan Runs Away From Women's Hoops, 70-55
2/17/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team was unable to collect their second straight victory on Wednesday night as the Eastern Michigan Eagles ran away from the Bulls late and picked up the 70-55 victory. With the loss the Bulls dropped to 12-12 overall and 4-9 in MAC play while the Eagles improved to 16-8 overall and 7-6 in the MAC.
"The better team won tonight," stated head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "Eastern Michigan came out and wanted that game and we didn't. We need to search for a lineup that goes out there with some gumption in their belly and once we do that we will start to win games."
The first quarter of action was a very tightly contest 10 minutes as neither team was able to pull away, The Eagles got out to the early 9-6 lead but the Bulls responded quickly as Brittany Morrison came off the bench and made a nifty layup in traffic. The Eagles then got out to the 15-10 lead before UB used a 9-4 run to draw even with the Eagles, 19-19. Sasha Dailey was able to net a jumper with time winding down in the quarter to give EMU the 21-19 lead after one.
The second quarter started with the Eagles dominating the Bulls as they were able to extend their lead out to 12 with 2:19 left in the opening half. UB showed some fight down the stretch as they were able to go on an 8-0 run to draw within four. Joanna Smith was able to notch five points in the spurt while Morrison collected the other three. Eastern Michigan was able to get another score just before the half to take the 39-33 lead into the locker room.
The second half was a struggle for the UB offense as they shot only 21.4% (3-for-14) from the floor in the third quarter and 14.3% (3-for-21) in the fourth quarter. The Bulls were outscored 19-14 in the third as the Eagles were able to extend their lead out to 11.
In the final 10 minutes, the Bulls were only able to record eight points as Smith notched five points while Ayoleka Sodade finished off a layup and Morrison converted on a free throw. The Eagles extended their lead out to as many as 18 in the final quarter before earning the 70-55 victory.
Morrison had a career-game for the Bulls in the loss as she notched her second career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in a career-high 26 minutes. Morrison was all over the boards for UB as she was able to snatch seven offensive rebounds while also making a career-high five free throws. Smith continued to produce points as she finished with 22 points, her 13th game of 20+ points, while also grabbing seven rebounds (five offensive).
For the game, the Eagles shot 46.6% from the floor while the Bulls were only able to shoot 29.4%, falling to 0-11 on the year when shooting a lower percentage from the floor than their opponents. Eastern Michigan also won the turnover battle as they forced 19 UB turnovers compared to their 14. The Bulls were able to outrebound the Eagles 48-37.
The Bulls will return to action on Saturday as they welcome Miami (OH) to Alumni Arena. Saturday's game will be the second game of a doubleheader with the UB men's team and will start around 2:30 pm. The game will also be the women's hoops "Pink Game" as fans are encouraged to wear their pink to the game.
