University at Buffalo
13-12 (5-9MAC)
Miami (OH)
9-16 (3-11MAC)
Stingy Defense Propels Women's Hoops To Dominant Win Over Miami (OH), 58-39
2/20/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – Behind a dominant performance from their defense, the University at Buffalo women's basketball team collected a 58-39 home victory over the Miami (OH) RedHawks on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena in front of 1,136 fans. With the win, the Bulls improve to 13-12 overall and 5-9 in MAC play while holding the RedHawks to a season-low 39 points.
The third quarter was the turning point of the game for the Bulls as they came out of the locker room with more energy and desire. The Bulls put the game away in the third as they outscored the RedHawks 23-8 behind 10 points from Joanna Smith. Smith finished the quarter with a pair of three-pointers while Cassie Oursler notched six points and Karin Moss netted five off the bench, extending the UB lead out to 13 at the end of the third quarter, 41-28, and the Bulls never looked back.
The opening 10 minutes of the game were sloppy for both teams as neither offense was able to get into a rhythm. Smith opened up the scoring for the Bulls almost two minutes in as she smoothly drained a jumper from the top of the key. The RedHawks then went on a 8-3 run before Brittany Morrison ended the run with a layup after a nice pass from Stephanie Reid. The quarter finished with the RedHawks clinging to a 9-8 lead.
With the score knotted, 14-14, the UB offense put together a quick 4-0 spurt to take the 18-14 edge as Ayoleka Sodade buried a pair of freebies and Reid made a fancy layup in traffic. The RedHawks responded quickly as they finished the quarter off on a 6-0 run to take the 20-18 lead into halftime.
After a dominant third quarter, the Bulls continued their high level of play in the fourth as they were able to add to their lead. The Bulls outscored Miami 17-11 in the final 10 minutes to earn the 17-point victory, 58-39. Six players recorded at least one basket and seven players notched at least one rebound in the final 10 minutes of play. The Bulls held on to their sixth win at Alumni Arena this season as they improved to 10-0 on the year when holding their opponents to under 58 points scored.
Smith once again led the Bulls in scoring as she was able to score 19 points to go along with seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. Seeing her first start in four games, Oursler had a huge game for UB as she netted a career-high 16 points and six boards while going 7-for-11 from the floor. Morrison made her first career start and played hard for the Bulls, finishing with seven points and nine boards in 26 minutes of action while Moss came off the bench and scored a quiet seven points, five rebounds and two assists in the win.
Buffalo's defense was the story of the game as they held the RedHawks to 39 points, the second lowest scoring output for an UB opponent this season. For the game, the Bulls forced 18 turnovers that turned into 14 points while also dominating the rebounding battle, 50-38. UB shot 33.3% from the floor while Miami (OH) only shot 29.8% as the Bulls improved to 13-1 on the year when shooting a higher percentage from the floor than their opponents.
The Bulls return home on Wednesday night for their third straight home game as they welcome the Bowling Green Falcons to Alumni Arena. Tip is set for 7:00 pm.
