Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe

CLEVELAND, OH - Senior Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Nelson, New Zealand/Hawaii) of the University at Buffalo women's basketball team was named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week for the second straight week after leading the Bulls to key conference wins over Akron and Miami (OH). McMeeken-Ruscoe averaged 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals in the two wins while shooting .441 from the floor (15-for-34) and playing 39 minutes in both contests. McMeeken-Ruscoe helped the Bulls extend their winning streak to six games, which is their longest winning streak of the season and their longest in conference play since joining the MAC in 1998-99.

McMeeken-Ruscoe scored 23 points and had six assists in a 67-51 win over Akron on Wednesday, followed by 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 69-64 come-from-behind win at Miami (OH) on Saturday. Thirteen of her 20 points against the RedHawks came in the second half to lead the Bulls' comeback efforts. McMeeken-Ruscoe has now scored 20 or more points in five straight games and in six of her last seven games. She is averaging 20.1 points in her last seven games and 23.4 points in her last five games to up her season scoring average to 15.5 points per game (sixth in the MAC).

The Bulls conclude the regular season with a 7 pm game against Kent State on Tuesday, March 4 in Alumni Arena. A Buffalo win coupled with a Miami loss to Marshall would tie the Bulls with the RedHawks for the MAC's East Division title. If that were the case, the Bulls would possibly receive a first-round MAC Tournament bye depending on how the league's tie-breaking procedures play out. If the Bulls do not receive a bye, they will host a first-round game on Saturday, March 8 at 7 pm in Alumni Arena.