Bulls End Road Schedule With Victory Over Ohio

UB hits a season-high 12 treys in the contest
ATHENS, OH - The University at Buffalo women's basketball team ended its shooting woes in style as it defeated Ohio, 84-77, Tuesday night at the Convocation Center. The Bulls put forth their fourth best shooting performance of the season and their highest shooting performance from behind the arc. The victory puts UB at 9-16 on the season and 4-10 in the MAC, tying it for third place in the MAC East and moving it one step closer towards hosting a first round MAC Tournament game.

Brooke Meunier

The 52-point second half for the Bulls was their highest point output on the season for a half. UB finished with four players in double figures, including two reaching the 20-point mark in the same game for the first time since the 2004 season. Senior Brooke Meunier (Saginaw, MI/Heritage) scored a team-high 23 points, 17 of them coming in the second half. Meunier also recorded a game-high seven assists in the contest. Sophomore Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) added 20 points for Buffalo, along with six rebounds. Also finishing in double figures were sophomores Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) and Flynn Pyykkonen (Clarkston, MI/Birmingham Marian) who both finished with 13 points.

"I think we shot the ball very well tonight and it started at the beginning of the game," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "Flynn Pyykkonen, who isn't known as a three-point shooter, her first shot was a three that swished through the basket and I think that relaxed everyone for the game."

Heather Turner

UB got off to a quick start in the game taking a 12-4 lead at the 15:39 mark of the first half. Pyykkonen scored eight of the points to get the Bulls rolling. The Bobcats refused to go down quietly as freshman Rachel Frederick hit a three giving Ohio a six point lead. The two teams kept fighting and a three-pointer by Viorica Badinici (Turku, Finland/Central Florida CC) sent UB into the half with a two-point lead.

The second half began on a quick 6-0 run by the Bobcats, but that was followed by a 7-2 UB run. This was the beginning of a second half where the two teams combined for 99 points. The Bulls embarked on a 19-9 run, giving them their largest lead at 11. Ohio would not go down quietly as they kept fouling, but the Bulls hit their foul shots down the line to preserve the victory.

The Bulls finished the game just two three-pointers short of the school record as they finished 12-of-17 from behind the arc. UB finished the game shooting 70.6 percent from behind the arc, its highest total on the year.

For just the fourth time this season the Bulls finished a game with less turnovers than their opponent. UB finished with 11 turnovers, compared to 15 for Ohio.

The Bobcats (7-18, 4-10 MAC) finished with three players in double figures, led by a game-high 27 points from Frederick as well 15 rebounds. Simone Redd finished with 20 points while Ciara Inglehart finished with 15.

The Bulls now finish their season with two games at home. UB hosts Akron this Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. The Bulls defeated the Zips earlier this season.

02/21/2006