Bulls Win MAC Opener With Thriller Over Miami

Four Bulls record double digits in the victory
OXFORD, OH - Freshman Jamie Schiebner (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) sank three late free throws and the University at Buffalo women's basketball team left Miami (OH) with a 78-75 victory over the host RedHawks for Buffalo's first conference-opening victory since the 2000-01 season, when it also defeated Miami (OH) on the road.

Jamie Schiebner

The Bulls (6-6, 1-0 MAC) were led by four players in double figures, including 16 from freshman Rachelle Matthys (St. Clair, MI/St. Clair) and 15 from Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge), who also recorded a game-high seven assists. Schiebner and Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 and 12 points, respectively.

The Bulls got off to an early lead and held their biggest advantage with a nine point lead at the 8:16 mark of the first half. The two teams would then take turns with the lead as it changed 13 times, as well as nine ties.

Foul trouble limited Turner to 17 minutes of action, but junior Viorica Badinici (Turku, Finland/Central Florida CC) and sophomore Barbora Homolova (Ceska Lipa, Czech Republic/Strakonice) combined for 26 minutes and recorded seven and six points, respectively.

Flynn Pyykkonen

Senior Brooke Meunier (Saginaw, MI/Heritgae) was limited to 22 minutes with a hamstring injury, but sophomore Flynn Pyykkonen (Clarkston, MI/Birmingham Marion) scored a season-high nine points including five in a row to take the Bulls from a one point deficit to a three point advantage during the final 2:16 of play.

"We got important contributions from different people today," head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald said. "We had the team ready for conference play and they were all stepped up to the challenge."

The Bulls were able to stay hot from the field as they shot 53.8 percent for the game, including 60.0 percent from behind the arc. The three point victory is the closest margin of victory for UB since it defeated East Carolina, 50-48, last season.

The RedHawks (5-7, 0-1 MAC) had five players in double figures, led by Cindi Merrill with 15 points. Katie Guerriero contributed 14 points off the bench.

The Bulls return to Alumni Arena for their MAC home opener on Tuesday, January 10 as they host Bowling Green. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

01/07/2006