UB Head Coach Cheryl Dozier started her coaching career with the Bulls with an impressive 86-75 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffins in front of 710 at Alumni Arena.

UB started off slowly, trailing by as many as nine, 15-6 in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Bulls charged back and tied the game twice before capturing the lead, 26-25, with two minutes remaining in the half on a layup by Megan McCray. UB pulled ahead to lead by six at the half, 32-26, and never trailed the rest of the game.

The Bulls shot just .296 (8-of-27) from the field in the first half, including just 1-of-8 from three-point range, showing some season opening jitters. Free throw shooting kept UB in the game during that first half, hitting on 15-of-19 (.789) from the charity stripe.

The Bulls then opened the second half on fire, using a 12-1 run to open the half and pull out to a 19 point lead, 46-27, five minutes into the second half. The Bulls largest lead came at the 11:44 mark, when Mari McClure hit a jumper to put UB ahead 56-35. Canisius could get not closer than the final 11-point margin the rest of the game as the Bulls won their season opener 86-75.

There were a total of 63 fouls, 32 against UB and 31 against Canisius. The Bulls took advantage, hitting 29-of-41 (.707) from the line as a team. The Bulls shot much better as a team in the second half, hitting .528 from the field and finishing with a .429 (27-of-63) for the game.

UB was led by Mari McClure, who scored 21 points, including 11-of-13 shooting from the free throw line in the foul plauged game. Three other Bulls hit double figures in scoring. Kim Coon added 17 points, Catherine Jacob scored 15 and Sam Cerny added 11 points off the bench.

The Bulls controlled the glass as well, outrebounding Canisius 45-31. Courtney Joseph led the way with a game and career-high 14 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.

The Bulls (1-0) will return to action this week as the team will travel to play at Rhode Island on Wednesday.