Bulls Zip Past Akron On Senior Day, 69-49

Kourtney Brown finishes with 25 points and 16 rebounds

Jamie Schiebner

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team ended its 2008-09 home season in style on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Akron Zips, 69-49, at Alumni Arena. With the win the Bulls snapped a six-game losing skid.

The Bulls sent their two seniors out in style, but it was redshirt sophomore Kourtney Brown who put forth another double-double with her game-high 25 points and her career-high 16 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. The Bulls used a 15-4 run in the first half taking a 12-point lead with 4:51 left in the half on the second of three first half threes by Rachelle Matthys. Defensively, UB allowed just 20 points in the opening half as the Zips shot just 6-of-21 from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Kara Murphy, the MAC’s leading scorer, was flustered all afternoon as a plethora of Bulls held her to 15 points, including just 3-of-12 from the floor.

The Bulls extended their lead to 18 early in the second half as UB started the half on a 9-1 run. The Zips continued to fight, but never got closer than 13 in the second half. The Bulls continued to play hard on both sides of the basketball and did a fantastic job taking care of the ball, turning it over a season-low nine times, including just twice in the second half.

“I am really proud of the way our team played today and I am especially happy for Dortae and Jamie who were playing in their final game here at home,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “We really did an excellent job executing our game plan and I thought our intensity on the defensive side of the ball was tremendous.”

Dortae Freeman

The Bulls had some balanced scoring in the contest as seven players had at least five points in the game. In addition to Brown’s 25 point, 16 rebound performance, Matthys also finished in double figures with 11 points. Sophomore Jessica Fortman added seven points and nine rebounds, while seniors Jamie Schiebner and Dortae Freeman each finished with six points. Freeman also added a game-high five assists.

Akron was led by Murphy’s 15 points, but UB’s defensive pressure forced the Zips into 23 turnovers. Kyle Baumgartner added a team-high nine rebounds for the Zips.

The Bulls will now hit the road for their final two regular season games beginning this Wednesday at Kent State. Tip off with the Golden Flashes is set for 7:00 pm.