Slow Start Proves Costly For Bulls

Heather Turner records sixth double-double of the season
BUFFALO, NY - The visiting Central Michigan Chippewas used a 12-4 run in the final 3:45 to defeat the University at Buffalo, 58-50, Wednesday night at Alumni Arena. The Bulls have dropped six in a row and are 7-14 on the season and 2-8 in MAC play.

The Chippewas (13-8, 4-6 MAC) got off to a quick start as they built a 22-8 advantage during the first 10 minutes of the game. The Bulls went on a 14-6 run to end the first half and went into the locker rooms trailing by six. The Bulls fought their way back and a Viorica Badinici (Turku, Finland/Central Florida CC) jumper at the 3:45 mark of the second half tied the game, 46-46. However, that would be the last field goal for the Bulls as Central Michigan went on an 8-0 run and ultimately a 12-4 run, with four UB free throws.

Heather Turner

"I thought we lost the game in the first five minutes," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "We didn't play well early and then we used all our energy coming back in the next 30 minutes and then had nothing left for the end of the game."

The Bulls were led by sophomore Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) who recorded her sixth double-double of the season as she recorded a game-high 20 points as well as a game-high 14 rebounds, including nine off of the offensive glass. Senior Brooke Meunier (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) added 14 points for UB, who had all five of its starters play at least 35 minutes. Meunier and Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) each played the full 40 minutes.

Buffalo did an excellent job of following up missed shots as it finished with 19 offensive rebounds, but it was only able to get 24 points off of its second chances.

Central Michigan was led by three players in double figures. Chassidy Myers notched a team-high 16 points, while Stacey Verhoff and Casey Manning recorded 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Chippewas were able to shoot 58.3 percent from behind the arc compared to just 20 percent from UB.

The Bulls return to the road for a contest at Western Michigan this weekend. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday.

02/08/2006