Bulls Fall Short Against Kent State

Four UB players score in double figures

Rachelle Matthys

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team put forth a valiant effort for 40 minutes on Wednesday night, but fell short, dropping a 72-69 decision to Kent State at Alumni Arena. The Bulls had a chance to tie the game and force overtime, but a three-pointer at the buzzer by Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) fell short as UB drops to 6-11 on the season and 1-4 in conference play. Kent State evened its record at 8-8 and moved to 4-1 in the MAC.

The two teams played a tight game for all 40 minutes as the largest lead by either team was an eight-point advantage by Kent State with 11:03 remaining in the first half. UB fought back though and a three by Belinda Gibb (Denmark, Western Australia, Willetton) at the first-half buzzer sent UB into the lockerroom down just two.

Kent State charged back in the second half and took two leads of six points, but three straight Rachelle Matthys (St. Clair, MI/St. Clair) buckets tied the game with 10:40 to go in the second half. UB would later take its first lead since the 15:01 mark of the first half with a Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) layup. The Golden Flashes then embarked on an 8-0 run to take another six-point advantage, but that was short lived as Bennett took over, hitting three of her four three-pointers in a span of 1:06. The two teams then exchanged baskets as the game was knotted up at 68 with 2:28 remaining. Both teams struggled to take the lead until Kent State’s Kristin Peoples hit a leaning jumper with 44 seconds remaining. UB would cut that lead to one, but got no closer as Kerrie James sunk two foul shots for the three-point advantage. UB drew up its final play, but Bennett’s three fell short.

Belinda Gibb

“I am really proud of the effort that we put forth tonight,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “It is disappointing to play that hard and not come out with the victory. I thought it was a great team effort and I thought we really battled for 40 minutes and that is a real positive for this team.”

Matthys led four players in double figures with a team-high 16 points. Gibb added 14 for UB while Bennett and Turner each recorded 12. Turner converted on 5-of-6 from the field, including her first ever three-pointer. She also recorded three blocks as UB swatted six shots as a team. Sophomore Jamie Schiebner (Saginaw, MI/Heritage), who started for the third straight game, had eight points and, along with Matthys, six rebounds. Bennett also finished the evening with a game-high six assists.

The Golden Flashes were led by Peoples and La’kia Stewart, who each finished with 17 points, while James added 14. Tiffany LaFleur pulled in seven rebounds.

After finishing the first round of games against the MAC East, UB turns its attention to the six teams that make up the MAC West. The Bulls will begin that with a trip to Toledo on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tip off between the Bulls and Rockets is set for 2 pm.

01/17/2007