Toledo Gets Past Bulls In Overtime

Heather Turner records 16 points and 13 rebounds for her third double-double

Heather Turner

TOLEDO, OH – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team shot 62.1 percent in the second half, but was unable to come away with a victory, falling 85-77 in overtime to Toledo, Saturday afternoon at Savage Hall. The Bulls had their opportunities, but an offensive foul call away from the ball in the final seconds of regulation sent the game to the extra period. It was there that Toledo scored the final 11 points of the game after UB had a three-point advantage with 3:20 to go in overtime. The loss drops Buffalo to 6-12 on the season and 1-5 in conference play, while Toledo improves to 7-11 and evens its conference mark at 3-3.

UB got off to a quick start in the game, scoring the first six points of the contest. Toledo tied the game up at six, but UB then went on a 9-3 run to regain the advantage. The Bulls had a four-point lead after a Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) three pointer, but Toledo scored the final 11 points of the half to take a seven-point lead into the half.

Both teams picked up their scoring in the second half as Toledo extended its lead to 10 with 17:15 remaining in regulation. The Bulls then embarked on a 10-0 run as Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) and Kourtney Brown (Solon, OH/Solon) converted on back-to-back baskets. The Bulls then began showing their prowess from long range. Bennett cut the Rockets lead to three with a trey before sophomore Jamie Schiebner (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) tied the score up with her first three pointer of the season. UB then took the lead and had a five-point advantage as Bennett knocked down another trey with 11:06 to go in the second half. Toledo again fought back and went on a 13-2 run of its own to lead by six with 8:51 remaining.

The margin remained at six until UB rattled off six straight points and tying the game at 62 with 4:44 remaining. Bennett tied the game up again with 3:28 remaining, converting on her fifth three-pointer of the game. The Bulls even took the lead on a Turner layup with 2:00 minutes left, but Toledo tied the game to force overtime.

Toledo then took advantage of the overtime period, converting on four of its six field goals in the extra session and knocking down all seven shots from the foul line. After shooting 62.1 percent from the floor in the second half, the Bulls were able to shoot just 27.3 percent in the overtime period and missed both free throw attempts.

Stephanie Bennett

All eight players that saw action for the Bulls scored, with four players scoring in double figures. Bennett led the way with 19 as she tied her career high with six treys. She finished just one point shy of her career high, which was 20 points earlier this season against Ohio. Turner scored 16 points and continued her efficient shooting, converting on all eight attempts she had from the field. Turner completed the double-double with a game-high 13 rebounds. Belinda Gibb (Denmark, Western Australia/Willetton) finished with 11 points, while Brown had 10. Schiebner finished just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

The Bulls had a season-high 21 assists on the 32 made baskets as Gibb had a game-high seven dimes. Schiebner dished out six, while Bennett finished with four. Turner added three assists, as well as one of UB’s two blocks. Schiebner showed her ability on the defensive end as six of Toledo’s 11 turnovers were off of her steals.

Toledo also had four players in double figures, led by 22 from Danielle Bishop. Seven of those points came in overtime. Diana Reindl had 19 points, while Savannah Werner finished with 16. Kristi Zeller rounded out the double figure scorers with 12. Werner had a double-double on the afternoon, adding a team-high 10 rebounds to her total.

UB remains on the road looking to snap a 13-game losing streak against members of the MAC West. The Bulls play at Eastern Michigan on Wednesday night. Tip off between the Bulls and Eagles is set for 7:00 pm.

01/20/2007