Bulls Fall To Kent State, 79-61

Rachelle Matthys finishes with a game-high 22 points

Rachelle Matthys

BUFFALO, NY – The visiting Kent State Golden Flashes led wire-to-wire as they defeated the University at Buffalo women’s basketball team, 79-61, Wednesday night at Alumni Arena. Redshirt junior Rachelle Matthys had a game-high 22 points off the bench for UB.

The Golden Flashes got off to a quick start as they converted on 44.1 percent of their shots in the first half, including six three-pointers and going 8-for-8 from the free throw line. They began the game on a 14-4 run over the first four and a half minutes of the game. The lead grew to as many as 17 points in the opening half with 4:18 left. The Bulls cut the Kent State lead to 12 on a layup from Jessica Fortman, but the Golden Flashes went into the half up 15 after a 45-foot three-pointer from Stephanie Gibson as time expired.

Jessica Fortman

The Kent State lead grew to as many as 22 points with 15:50 left in the half, but the Bulls went on a quick 10-0 run over the next 2:40 to cut the lead to 12. After the teams traded threes, Kent State went on a 5-0 run to get its lead back up to 17. UB cut the lead to as little as 10 on two occasions, both on shots by Matthys. However, the Golden Flashes ended the game on an 8-0 run.

The Bulls were led by 22 points from Matthys, her second 20-point game of the season. She had four three-pointers, while adding an assist, and tying her career high with three steals. Fortman also finished in double figures with 16 points and a team-high six rebounds. She also added three blocks and a steal. The Bulls continued their blocking prowess as they had another seven blocks, and now have 25 in the three conference games this season alone.

Brittany Hedderson

Senior Dortae Freeman finished with a career-high eight assists, while freshman Brittany Hedderson tied her career-high with six assists. She also had just one turnover on the night. Freshman Beth Christensen also gave quality minutes off the bench, recording five rebounds, two points and one blocked shot in 16 minutes of action.

Kent State was led by 21 points from Chenel Harris and 13 points from Stephanie Gibson and Anna Kowalska. All five Kent State starters finished in double figures.

The Bulls will be back in action this Saturday as they host Miami (OH) in the first game of a doubleheader with the UB men. The women’s game tips off at 2:00 pm with the men’s game against Ohio to follow.