Late Free Throws Lift Northern Illinois Over Buffalo

Jamie Schiebner and Rachelle Matthys each have 16 points for the Bulls

Rachelle Matthys

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team outshot visiting Northern Illinois from the floor on Saturday, but a 22-for-26 performance from the Huskies at the free throw line in the second half led NIU to a 70-63 victory at Alumni Arena. The Bulls wore pink uniforms for the game as they participated in the WBCA’s annual Pink Zone.

The Bulls got off to a quick start to the game as they began the contest on a 9-0 run over the first four and half minutes. The Bulls led by as many as 11 in the opening half as they had a 17-6 lead following a three from Rachelle Matthys. However, the Huskies went on a 17-4 run to take their first lead of the game. The two teams then traded the lead back and forth before UB went into the half with a 33-30 lead.

Jamie Schiebner

The Bulls scored the first five points of the second half to go up eight on a three from Jamie Schiebner with 17:21 left. However, the Huskies went on an 11-0 run to take a three point lead. The NIU lead became as many as six before a 9-2 Buffalo run put UB back in the lead. NIU regained a one-point lead before five straight points from Beth Christensen gave the Bulls a four-point lead. Christensen hit her second three of the season and then received a nice feed from Matthys as she was cutting to the basket for an easy layup. UB remained up by one with 3:47 left before two free throws from NIU’s Marke Freeman put the Huskies ahead for good. Freeman increased the lead as she hit a clutch three with 3:00 left to put the Huskies up four. UB continued to fight back getting to within three, but NIU hit 11 of its 12 free throws over the final two minutes to hold on to the win.

Beth Christensen

Matthys and Schiebner led the way for the Bulls as they each had 16 points. Schiebner converted on 3-of-6 from three and added seven rebounds, an assists and a block. For the second straight game Matthys converted on four three pointers and she also had two assists and two steals. Christensen again gave the Bulls solid minutes off the bench as she had a career-high eight points, while adding three rebounds, an assist and a block. Freshman Brittany Hedderson added eight points, six rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. The six rebounds for Hedderson tied her career high.

Northern Illinois was led by four players in doubles figures including 16 points and nine rebounds from Mauvolyene Adams. Freeman had 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists for the Huskies. She went 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

The Bulls have now completed their six-game stretch against the MAC West and will again play the other five teams in the MAC East. That gets started next Saturday, Feb. 21 when the Bulls travel to Ohio. Tip off against the Bobcats is set for 2:00 pm.