Bulls Drop Tight Contest To Ohio

Stephanie Bennett records a career-high 20 points

Stephanie Bennett

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team was unable to keep the momentum from a late 10-0 run, falling 69-66 to Ohio, Wednesday night at the Convocation Center. Junior Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) had a career-high 20 points, including the game-tying three pointer with less than three minutes remaining. UB would cut the lead to two points, but ultimately fell to 5-10 on the season and 0-3 in conference play. Ohio improved to 8-7 on the season and 1-2 in the MAC.

The Bulls climbed back from deficits of over 10 points twice, trailing by as many as 11 in the final moments of the first half. UB scored three quick points heading into the break and two straight treys from Bennett to begin the second half cut the Bobcat lead to just two. Ohio responded by scoring 10 straight points to take its largest lead at 12. The Bobcats led by as many as 12 on three separate occasions. Ohio had a 10-point lead with 7:26 remaining in the game, but UB began to fight back, as Bennett scored eight of the 10 points on the run to tie the game up. The Bulls had a chance to tie the game one final time, but a Bennett three at the buzzer was no good. Bennett was successful in finding her teammates as well by recording a game-high six assists.

“The game wasn’t lost with that last shot,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “It was lost when we turned the ball over 11 times in the first half.”

The junior guard eclipsed a previous career high of 18 points, scored once last season and this year against UMass. Also in double figures for the Bulls was sophomore Jamie Schiebner (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Schiebner also recorded three steals as she started for the first time this season.

Jamie Schiebner

Despite being plagued with foul trouble all game, junior Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) was perfect from the floor for the second straight game, converting on all four shots from the field. Turner finished with nine points and five rebounds. As a team, the Bulls again outrebounded their opponent, holding a 40-33 edge on the boards.

Ohio was led by three players in double figures, including a game-high 21 points from leading scorer, Lauren Kohn. Rachel Frederick added 18 points and eight rebounds.

The Bulls will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host Akron. Tip off between the Bulls and the Zips is set for 2:00 pm.

01/10/2007