Bulls Use Stifling Defense to Buck Broncos, 61-48

Bulls have four players in double figures led by Heather Turner’s double-double

Heather Turner

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team saw its five-game losing skid come to an end with an impressive defensive effort in its win against Western Michigan, 61-48, Wednesday evening at Alumni Arena. The Bulls were able to hold the nation’s leading scorer, Carrie Moore, to just nine points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field. The victory improves UB’s record to 7-15 on the season and 2-8 in conference play. Western Michigan drops to 9-15 and 2-8 in the MAC.

The Bulls got off to a quick start in the game as a three-point play from junior Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) gave UB a 25-8 lead with 6:44 remaining in the first half. The Broncos would pick up their game slightly, but Buffalo still took a 31-19 lead into the half.

At first it looked as if the halftime may have cooled the Bulls off as Western Michigan began the second half on a 20-8 run and cut the Buffalo lead to just one point. Sophomore Jamie Schiebner (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) then took over, first finding Rachelle Matthys (St. Clair, MI/St. Clair) on a cutter under the basket for an easy two. Schiebner then stole the ball on the in bounds and sunk two foul shots to up the lead to five. That began a 21-9 run by Buffalo to end the game.

“I can’t say enough about the defensive effort tonight,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “Our team really forced the nation’s leading scorer out of her game from the opening tip and it was a team effort. Every time she touched the ball there was a player on her causing pressure. I am really proud of that because that was the game plan and our team executed that game plan tonight.”

The Bulls were led by four players in double figures, including a double-double from Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) who had game highs of 15 points and 15 rebounds. Bennett added 13 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Kourtney Brown (Solon, OH/Solon) had 12 points off the bench. Matthys finished with 11 points as she converted on three three-point field goals. Schiebner led the way with five assists for the Bulls.

Stephanie Bennett

11 players saw action for Buffalo including the first minutes for freshman Meghan George (Mentor, OH/Mentor) since Nov. 28. The win also snaps a 17-game losing streak against members of the MAC West dating back to the 2003-04 season.

Western Michigan was led by a double-double from Tiera Delahoussaye as she finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Moore had nine points and eight rebounds, but turned the ball over 10 times. As a team, WMU turned the ball over 21 times, which the Bulls turned into 25 points.

After wrapping up a three-game homestand, the Bulls play the next two games on the road beginning this Saturday at Central Michigan. The Bulls and the Chippewas will tip off at 2:00 pm.

02/07/2007