Bulls Drop Season Opener At Canisius, 69-56

Jessica Fortman has career-high 14 rebounds

Kourtney Brown

BUFFALO, NY – The host Canisius Golden Griffins used an 18-5 run over the final 6:05 of the game, defeating the University at Buffalo women’s basketball team, 69-56, Friday night at the Koessler Center. The game was the season-opener for both teams.

The Bulls got into early trouble as Canisius scored the first 11 points of the game before redshirt sophomore Kourtney Brown hit a layup at the 16:52 mark for the first UB points. From there, the Bulls went on their first run of the game, scoring 11 of the next 15 points. A jumper by Brittany Hedderson pulled the Bulls within two. Canisius jumped back in front by four, but the Bulls continued to fight as junior Dayna Smith drained a three-pointer pulling the UB deficit to just one. After tying the game up at 28, UB took its first lead of the game on another layup from Brown with 1:33 left in the first half. However, Canisius would go on to score the final four points of the half to take a two-point advantage into the lockerroom.

Rachelle Matthys

The Golden Griffs scored the first four points of the second half before redshirt junior Rachelle Matthys began to find her shooting touch. Matthys scored eight of the next 12 points, putting the Bulls up by three with 15:07 left in the second half. After Canisius moved ahead again, the Bulls cut a four-point deficit, getting three on a conventional three-point play from Jessica Fortman. UB then jumped out to the lead again with 9:13 left on a jumper from Hedderson. The game became tied at 51 with 6:05 left and that is when Canisius began to pull away, scoring nine of the next 11 points to take a 60-53 advantage with 3:03 left. The Golden Griffs went on to hit their free throws in the end for the final margin.

“I think having to make that comeback early really took a toll on us late in the game,” said fourth-year head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “It was the first five minutes and the last five minutes that killed us. Those middle minutes I thought were pretty solid.”

Brittany Hedderson

The Bulls were led in scoring by Brown and Matthys, who were both playing in their first game in over a year after redshirting last season. Brown had 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Matthys had 13 points, all in the second half. Fortman established a new career high with her 14 rebounds, including eight of those coming on the offensive end. As a team, UB had 20 offensive rebounds, including four from Hedderson in her collegiate debut. She also added eight points and four assists. Senior Jamie Schiebner tied her career high with six assists.

As a team, the Bulls turned 16 Canisius turnovers into 20 points, while also recording 13 second chance points. The Bulls did a better job of handling the ball on the night as UB had 14 turnovers, including just six in the second half.

Canisius was led by 22 points from Marie Warner and 10 points from Amanda Cavo. Ellie Radke finished with a team-high seven rebounds.

The Bulls return to the court in their home opener on Sunday afternoon when they host St. Bonaventure. Tip off is set for 2:00 pm.