ATHENS, OH - The Ohio Bobcats shot 47.3 percent from the floor and hit 11 three-pointers en route to a 20-point victory (85-65) over the visiting University at Buffalo women's basketball team this afternoon at the Convocation Center in Athens, OH. The loss drops the Bulls' record to 5-14 overall and 3-6 in the Mid-American Conference, while Ohio improved to 9-11 overall and 3-6 in the MAC.

The Bobcats opened the scoring on a driving layup by Angel Hornsburger on their first possession to take a lead that they would not let go of for the remainder of the game.

Kelly Calderone

Three-pointers by junior Allison Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) and freshman Kelly Calderone (Freedom, PA/Ambridge) twice got the Bulls within three, 11-8 and 17-14, but the Bobcats then put together a 7-0 run to open up a double-digit lead, 24-14 with 9:23 left in the half. Two late three-pointers by Lindsay Wight ended a 12-2 Ohio run to close the half and put the Bobcats up by 19, 43-24. Ohio shot 51.4 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes of the game (18-for-35) and made six three-pointers, four by Wight. Buffalo shot 34.8 percent in the first half (18-for-47).

Buffalo struggled offensively to begin the second half, making just one of its first six shots, another three-pointer by Bennett, and the Bobcats quickly jumped out to a 30-point lead, 61-31, with 12:26 left to play. Ohio led by as many as 33 points down the stretch, and a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Stacey Musacchia ended the game at 85-65.

The Bobcats hit 11 three-pointers in the game, including six by Candace Bates who led all scorers with 20 points. Erin Isbell posted a double-double for the Bobcats with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Wight finished with 14 points. Ohio outrebounded the Bulls by a 44-29 margin.

Calderone led Buffalo with a career-high 15 points, including three three-pointers, while senior Kim Kilpela (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield) and Bennett also reached double figures in scoring with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Senior Jessica Kochendorfer (Allen, MI/Quincy), junior Talia Merlino (Newtown, PA/Notre Dame (NJ) HS) and freshman Belinda Gibb (Denmark, Western Australia/Willetton) added seven points apiece.

"You can't win in this league if you don't play defense," said Buffalo head coach Cheryl Dozier. "It's as simple as that. We gave up 11 threes and 19 offensive rebounds. You can't afford to go on the road and let that happen if you expect to win."

The Bulls are now home for their next three games, beginning with a 7 pm contest against Kent State on Wednesday, February 11 at Alumni Arena. The game is part of UB's 14th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration. US Gymnastics team member and Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes will officiate a ceremonial tip prior to the game as part of the celebration.