Wednesday, January 1
Buffalo, NY
2:00pm
vs
Central Michigan
Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Bulls Host Central Michigan in MAC Opener on Wednesday
12/31/2024 11:54:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team (11-0) opens Mid-American Conference action on Wednesday as they host Central Michigan in a 2pm contest.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brian Koziol (play-by-play) and Matt Mattia (color) announcing and can be heard on ESPN 1520 and the Varsity Network with Jack Kreuzer on the call.
This is the 38th overall meeting between Buffalo and Central Michigan with the Chippewas owning a slim 19-18 series advantage. The Bulls have won five of the last six, including a series sweep last year.
Buffalo closed out the non-conference slate in style as they defeated Le Moyne 107-59 at Ted Grant Court on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Bulls improve to 11-0, the best start in program history. Six Bulls scored in double figures on the afternoon, led by Chellia Watson who scored a game-high 20 points. Senior Ariana Seawell recorded a UB career-high with 17 points while sophomore Kirsten Lewis-Williams scored 15 of her 16 points in the second half. Senior Terah Harness and sophomore Alexis Davis scored 14 points, the latter adding 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, and Noelani Cornfield stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, four rebounds and seven assists.
The Bulls, who are currently ranked sixth in the Mid-Major Top 25, have four players averaging in double figures on the season, led by Watson who is averaging 19.6 points per game. Harness (11.9 ppg) and Lewis-Williams (11.9 ppg) are also averaging in double figures while Davis is nearly averaging a double-double at 10.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Cornfield is averaging 9.6 points per contest while leading the team and ranking in the top 20 nationally in assists per game (5.8).
As a team, the Bulls lead the league in scoring offense (80.1), scoring defense (56.2), scoring margin (+24.9), field goal percentage (.458), field goal defense (.358), assists (201) and turnover margin (+9.1) while also ranking in the top three in 3FG defense (.268), rebounding (40.8), steals per game (11.4) and free throw percentage (.779).
The Central Michigan Chippewas are 4-7 overall after defeating Milwaukee 54-50 on Saturday. The Chippewas were picked to finish last in the MAC preseason coaches poll after finishing 6-22 a year ago. CMU added 10 new players to the roster in 2024-25, including five freshmen and five transfers. Freshman guard Madi Morson leads the Chippewas in scoring (13.5 ppg). Senior guard Jess Lawson is also scoring in double figures (10.0 ppg) while also leading the squad in rebounding (8.2 rpg) and assists (3.0).
The Chippewas are continuing to dominate on the glass as they lead the MAC and rank in the top 40 in the nation in offensive rebounding (16.2), total rebounding (42.9) and rebound margin (+7.9). They are scoring 13.5 second chance points per contest off those offensive boards. CMU has gotten solid production out of its bench this season as they lead the MAC and rank 45th in the nation in bench points per game (27.1). Their bench has outscored their opponent in 10 of 11 games.
Up next, Buffalo will embark on a two-game road trip, beginning on Sunday, January 5 as they take on the Kent State Golden Flashes in a nationally televised contest on CBS Sports Network at 2pm. It is a rematch of the 2024 MAC Championship game.
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brian Koziol (play-by-play) and Matt Mattia (color) announcing and can be heard on ESPN 1520 and the Varsity Network with Jack Kreuzer on the call.
This is the 38th overall meeting between Buffalo and Central Michigan with the Chippewas owning a slim 19-18 series advantage. The Bulls have won five of the last six, including a series sweep last year.
Buffalo closed out the non-conference slate in style as they defeated Le Moyne 107-59 at Ted Grant Court on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Bulls improve to 11-0, the best start in program history. Six Bulls scored in double figures on the afternoon, led by Chellia Watson who scored a game-high 20 points. Senior Ariana Seawell recorded a UB career-high with 17 points while sophomore Kirsten Lewis-Williams scored 15 of her 16 points in the second half. Senior Terah Harness and sophomore Alexis Davis scored 14 points, the latter adding 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, and Noelani Cornfield stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, four rebounds and seven assists.
The Bulls, who are currently ranked sixth in the Mid-Major Top 25, have four players averaging in double figures on the season, led by Watson who is averaging 19.6 points per game. Harness (11.9 ppg) and Lewis-Williams (11.9 ppg) are also averaging in double figures while Davis is nearly averaging a double-double at 10.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Cornfield is averaging 9.6 points per contest while leading the team and ranking in the top 20 nationally in assists per game (5.8).
As a team, the Bulls lead the league in scoring offense (80.1), scoring defense (56.2), scoring margin (+24.9), field goal percentage (.458), field goal defense (.358), assists (201) and turnover margin (+9.1) while also ranking in the top three in 3FG defense (.268), rebounding (40.8), steals per game (11.4) and free throw percentage (.779).
The Central Michigan Chippewas are 4-7 overall after defeating Milwaukee 54-50 on Saturday. The Chippewas were picked to finish last in the MAC preseason coaches poll after finishing 6-22 a year ago. CMU added 10 new players to the roster in 2024-25, including five freshmen and five transfers. Freshman guard Madi Morson leads the Chippewas in scoring (13.5 ppg). Senior guard Jess Lawson is also scoring in double figures (10.0 ppg) while also leading the squad in rebounding (8.2 rpg) and assists (3.0).
The Chippewas are continuing to dominate on the glass as they lead the MAC and rank in the top 40 in the nation in offensive rebounding (16.2), total rebounding (42.9) and rebound margin (+7.9). They are scoring 13.5 second chance points per contest off those offensive boards. CMU has gotten solid production out of its bench this season as they lead the MAC and rank 45th in the nation in bench points per game (27.1). Their bench has outscored their opponent in 10 of 11 games.
Up next, Buffalo will embark on a two-game road trip, beginning on Sunday, January 5 as they take on the Kent State Golden Flashes in a nationally televised contest on CBS Sports Network at 2pm. It is a rematch of the 2024 MAC Championship game.
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Players Mentioned
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