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Bulls Score First Ever Win Against Kent State, 78-71

Tieara Jones

The Bulls, who were greeted by about 20 members of UB’s student organization True Blue, got off to a quick start in the game, scoring the first nine points of the contest. Just under four minutes into the game, UB had already built its lead up to 10 on a three-pointer from sophomore Ashley Zuber (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland). From there Kent State went on a 10-2 run, cutting the UB lead to two. The game became tied at 19 and Kent State took its first lead of the contest at 20-19 with 9:12 left in the opening half. That lead was short-lived as senior Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) hit a three to put the Bulls back ahead by two. The Bulls got their lead up to as many as nine on two separate occasions, including at the 3:42 mark of the first half on a layup from sophomore Meghan George (Mentor, OH/Mentor). The Golden Flashes were able to cut into the UB lead once more as the Bulls went into the half with a two-point advantage at 37-35. With players getting into foul trouble, 12 different UB players saw action in the first half, with 10 of them finding the scoring column.

Stephanie Bennett

“I am really pleased with the way our entire team played tonight,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “We had to go to the bench early because some players got into foul trouble, but they really responded. I think starters typically get all the glory, but the bench played a very important part in tonight’s victory.”

The Bulls came out in the second half and got their lead back up to six with a layup from freshman Jessica Fortman (Ashland, KY/Russell). However, Kent State used a 15-6 run to go up by three at 52-49 with 11:16 to go in regulation. The Bulls then tied the game on a layup from Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) and back-to-back baskets from Bridgette Kendricks (Parsons, KS/Parsons) put UB back up by four. The game again was tied for the fifth and final time at 58 with 6:38 left before freshman Tieara Jones (Youngstown, OH/Rayen) put UB ahead for good with a layup. Bennett put UB up by five with a three-pointer before four straight points from Kent State’s Rachel Bennett left the UB lead at one. The Bulls regained a seven-point advantage on back-to-back three-point plays from Jones who had her best game in a UB uniform. The Bulls ended the game hitting nine of their final 10 free throws to thwart any chance of a Kent State comeback.

Ashley Zuber

The Bulls had four players finish in double figures, led by the career-high 17 points from Jones. Jones also went 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. Jones’ seven rebounds were also a career best. Bennett, who was making her 100th consecutive start, scored 13 points and had a season-high seven assists. Not only did Bennett have seven dimes, but she also recorded just one turnover on the night. Zuber had 11 points and five assists, while Fortman rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and seven rebounds. Turner, who was in foul trouble for much of the night, had six points, two rebounds and a season-high three blocks before fouling out. Kendricks had six points off the bench while senior Barbora Homolová (Ceska Lipa, Czech Republic/Strakonice) had four points and five rebounds, including four on the offensive end.

As a team, UB converted on 18 of its 22 free throws, finishing at a season-best 81.8 percent from the line for the night. The Bulls also did an outstanding job taking care of the basketball, turning the ball over just 12 times, with 10 of those coming in the first 20 minutes of action. UB had six blocked shots on the night and 11 steals on the defensive end. Buffalo also won the rebounding battle with 41 boards, compared to 37 for the Golden Flashes. More impressively was that UB was able to turn 15 offensive rebounds in 26 second chance points.

Kent State was led by 24 points from Ashley Harkins and 16 points from Rachel Bennett. Anna Kowalska added 13 points on the evening.

Now done with its first go-around against the MAC East, UB turns its attention to the MAC West. The Bulls will host Eastern Michigan this Saturday. Tip off with the Eagles is set for 4:00 pm.