Nationally-Ranked Falcons Too Much For Bulls

Heather Turner shoots a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor

Heather Turner

BOWLING GREEN, OH – Bowling Green showed why it is the 19th-ranked team in the country on Saturday afternoon, leading wire to wire and defeating Buffalo, 75-42, at Anderson Arena. The loss drops UB to 5-9 on the season and 0-2 in conference play, while BGSU improves to 12-2 and 2-0 in the MAC. The victory was also Bowling Green’s 27th straight against MAC opponents, tying a school and conference record.

The Falcons started off the game strong, using a 19-0 run over a nine-minute period, taking a 38-15 lead into the half. The 15 points scored by UB in the half are its lowest output in a half this season. The Bulls tried to climb back into the game in second half as sophomore Rachelle Matthys (St. Clair, MI/St. Clair) hit a three-pointer to cut the Bowling Green lead to 20. However, the Falcons continued to make their shots, shooting 54.5 percent in the second half and 51 percent for the game. The Bulls shot just 31.9 percent for the game and had a difficult time from behind the arc, finishing just 1-of-12 from three-point range.

For the second straight game, junior Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) was very efficient from the floor, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and converting on her only foul shot of the game. Turner and senior Belinda Gibb (Denmark, Western Australia/Willetton) led the Bulls with 11 points apiece. Nine different UB players recorded points for the Bulls, including the first field goal of the season from sophomore Rayna Brown (Montclair, NJ/Montclair). Brown finished the game with three points and three rebounds.

Belinda Gibb

Bowling Green took advantage of its athleticism, turning its defense into a dominant offense, and scoring 23 fast break points, opposed to just two for the Bulls. The Falcons were also able to turn 26 Buffalo turnovers into 30 points.

The Falcons were led by 24 points from Ali Mann and 21 from Megan Thornburn, who also led all players with seven rebounds. In all, Buffalo did outrebound BGSU, 33-30, marking the 10th time in 14 games that the Bulls have recorded more boards then their opponent.

The Bulls remain on the road as they face Ohio on Wednesday night. Tip off between the Bulls and the Bobcats is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

01/06/2007