MUNCIE, IN - The University at Buffalo women's basketball used a great defensive effort and put four players in double figures to score a crucial, 66-50, Mid-American Conference road win at Ball State on Thursday night.

The Bulls (16-5, 6-4) used a crucial 16-0 first-half run to pull away from a strong Ball State team that rarely loses at home. It was Buffalo's third straight road MAC win and came on the heels of a disappointing 59-49 loss to Miami of Ohio on Saturday at home.

"We played an excellent defensive basketball game," said head coach Cheryl Dozier. "We really bounced back well and came up with a big road win. The key defensively was holding a great three-point shooting team without a three (0-for-8) for the whole game."

Buffalo led just 21-15 with 7:49 remaining in the first half before embarking on a 16-0 run that gave Buffalo a 37-19 cushion at halftime. Ball State (12-8, 5-4) got within 14 points in the second half at 48-34 but UB was never seriously threatened.

Buffalo got strong performances from several players in the win. Juniors Tiffany Bell (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield) and Tara Perrier (Aurora, Ontario/Aurora) each had 15 points to pace the Bulls as four players hit double figures. Bell also had 12 rebounds for her 16th career double-double while Perrier hit two-of-three shots from long range and added si x rebounds as Buffalo outrebounded the Cardinals, 49-44.

The Bulls also got another strong game from a pair of freshmen, Kim Kilpela (Bloomfield Hills, MI/Bloomfield Hills) and Colleen Tabor (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa). Kilpela had 12 points -including 10 in the critical first half - 11 rebounds and two blocked shots while Tabor had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Senior Sonia Ortega (Chihuahua, Mexico/Cobach) also had a strong game for UB with eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

The Bulls will travel to Athens, OH for a game with Ohio University on Saturday before returning home to host Akron on Wednesday, Feb. 9th at Alumni Arena.