UB Comeback Falls Short At Akron, 62-56

Kourtney Brown records 26 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Bulls

Kourtney Brown

AKRON, OH – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team was unable to come back from a 13-point first half deficit as the Bulls fell to Akron, 62-56, Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Arena. The Bulls were led by Kourtney Brown who had 26 points, her fifth 20-point performance of the season.

The two teams kept the game tight early as the teams traded baskets back and forth, with neither team leading by more than four points. However, tied at 10-10, the Zips went on a 15-2 run to take a 13-point lead, their largest of the game. The Bulls kept fighting and got back in the game by making a run of their own. They managed to head in to the lockerroom down just four after a Jessica Fortman basket in the closing moments of the first half.

The Bulls cut the lead to as little as two early on in the half, but Akron went on another run taking a 10-point lead on two separate occasions. UB would fight to the end though, cutting the Zips lead to two with 54 seconds left, but Akron would make their free throws at the end.

Jessica Fortman

Brown led the way for the Bulls as 18 of her 26 points came in the second half. She completed the double-double with a career-high 12 rebounds, including eight of those on the offensive end. She also added three blocks and a steal. Fortman had 14 points and nine rebounds, while recording a season-high four blocked shots and adding three assists. Sophomore Bridgette Kendricks also had multiple blocks with two.

As a team, the Bulls set a season-high with their 10 blocks, the second straight game that UB has recorded at least eight team blocks. Akron was led by 18 points from Kara Murphy and 11 points and 12 rebounds from Jolene Tamboue.

The Bulls will be back home for their next two games as they host Kent State on Wednesday night. Tip off is set for 7:00 pm at Alumni Arena.