WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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Hot-Shooting Bulls Defeat Bucknell, 78-65

Jessica Fortman

After Bucknell scored the first basket off the opening tip, UB responded with a 14-0 run, scoring the first 12 points in the paint and the final two on a pair of free throws from senior Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy). The Bulls led by as many as 18 points in the opening half as senior Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) drilled a three pointer to give the Bulls a 48-30 advantage. UB regained its 18-point advantage and took it into the half on a layup from Tieara Jones (Youngstown, OH/Rayen) as time expired. The Bulls led 50-32 at the break, the first time the Bulls had scored 50 points in a half since scoring 52 in the second half against Ohio on February 21, 2006.

Stephanie Bennett

UB got its lead up to as many as 20 points on a jumper from freshman Jessica Fortman (Ashland, KY/Russell) before Bucknell began to make a run in the game. The Bison went on an 18-7 run over the next eight minutes of the game, cutting the UB lead to nine. The Bison would get as close as five with 4:54 remaining, but the Bulls went on a 7-0 run, which was capped off by a three from sophomore Ashley Zuber (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland). After Bucknell responded with a three from Amanda Brown, Fortman and Zuber each hit two foul shots to seal the win for the Bulls.

“Given the way we had played in the previous three games, this was a real bright for us heading into conference play,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “You can’t ask much more of our players tonight. I thought they did a great job of keying on the key players for Bucknell and sticking to the game plan and hitting big shots when we needed them.”

The Bulls were led by a career-high 21 points from Fortman on 9-of-13 shooting, who became the first UB freshman to score more than 20 points in a game since Turner did so against Miami (OH) on February 23, 2005. Fortman also added six rebounds and three assists. Bennett added 19 points and she hit on 5-of-6 from behind the arc. The 19 points give Bennett 900 for her career. Turner also reached double digits for the second straight game as she had 16 points, seven rebounds and a game-high two blocked shots. Junior Jamie Schiebner (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) had a game-high 11 rebounds, all on the defensive end. Schiebner added six points and a game-high six assists. That assist total matched her career high.

Heather Turner

Bucknell, which shot 41.2 percent for the game, also had three players in double figures. Amanda Brown led the way with 14 points, while Hope Foster and Kesha Champion each had 12 points.

UB shot season highs of 61.2 percent from the floor, and 75.0 percent from the free throw line. The Bulls also converted on 54.5 percent from behind the arc, which was their second highest total for the season.

The Bulls will now be off for a week before beginning Mid-American Conference play with a pair of road games. The Bulls head to Miami (OH) on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Tip off with the RedHawks is set for 7:00 pm.