BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's basketball team improved its record to 17-7 overall and 8-5 in the Mid-American Conference with an easy 78-59 win at Akron. Senior Tiffany Bell (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield), one of four Bulls to finish in double figures, led the charge with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The double-double was her fifth of the year and the 22nd of her career, and the win was head coach Cheryl Dozier's 50th career win at UB.

The Bulls jumped out to an early 19-9 lead in the first six minutes of the game thanks to nine points from senior Mari McClure (Rochester Hills, MI/Rochester Adams), and they ended the first half with a 12-2 run thanks to seven points from freshman Jessica Kochendorfer (Allen, MI/Quincy) to take a 45-28 lead into the lockerroom at halftime. Buffalo kept its momentum to begin the final 20 minutes, starting the second half with an 11-3 run. The Bulls used an 8-0 run later in the half to take their largest lead of the game, 71-40 with 8:57 showing on the clock, but the Zips never quit hustling and they ended the game by outscoring the Bulls by a 19-7 margin for the 78-59 final.

"Our starting five came out on fire today," said Dozier. " Tiffany had a great game for us, and obviously I was very pleased with our play that built a 31-point lead. The only thing that needs to be improved from today's performance is the play of our bench. We need to get better production out of those players as we get closer to the postseason."

The Bulls outrebounded the Zips by a 43-29 margin, and they grabbed 14 offensive boards and scored 14 second-chance points. Kochendorfer and McClure both finished with 15 points apiece and senior Sonia Ortega (Chihuahua, Mexico/Cobach) added 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. She has scored in double figures in each of Buffalo's last five games.

The Bulls are home for their next two games, hosting Ohio on Wednesday, February 21 at 7 pm and Bowling Green on Saturday, February 24 at 5 pm. Saturday's game against Bowling Green is Senior Night as well as a doubleheader with the UB men's basketball team that takes on Miami.