Bulls Win Overtime Thriller Over Albany, 70-69

Jessica Fortman records a career-high 19 points

Jessica Fortman

ALBANY, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team erased a late two-point deficit, forcing overtime, and walking away with a 70-69 overtime victory, Wednesday night at the SEFCU Arena. The victory snapped a streak of five straight overtime losses and was UB’s first victory in the extra session since the 2002-03 season. The Bulls also improved to 5-3 on the season with the win.

The Bulls came out firing in the first half as they shot 58.6 percent during the opening 20 minutes. Freshman Jessica Fortman (Ashland, KY/Russell) scored 16 of her career-high 19 points in the first half, including two of her three three-pointers. The Bulls led by as many as 16 points in the opening half as they opened a 28-12 advantage on a three pointer from Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) at the 10:53 mark. Albany would fight back and cut the UB lead to as little as six before the Bulls took an eight-point lead into the half at 40-32.

Stephanie Bennett

UB regained an 11-point advantage in the second half on a three from Fortman at the 10:25 mark. Back-to-back threes from Albany tied the game at 59-59 with 3:17 left and the Great Danes went on to take a two-point lead. Albany continued to lead by two when senior Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) got fouled and went to the line with 23 seconds left. Turner sunk both free throws and Albany managed to get off two shots before the buzzer, but neither fell as the teams went to overtime.

In the extra session, Albany scored the first basket before UB tied it up with a jumper from Dortae Freeman (Detroit, MI/Cass Technical). The two teams then exchanged free throws as the game remained tied at 67-67. From there, Bennett drilled a three-pointer at the 2:17 mark and gave the Bulls a lead that they would not relinquish. Albany cut the UB lead to one in the closing minutes, but the Buffalo defense did not allow Albany a shot as time expired.

“I thought tonight we really came out firing, but then we fizzled,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “If we can get the effort that we got during the first ten minutes and do that for 40 minutes every night, we are going to be tough to beat.”

Heather Turner

Fortman led the Bulls with her career-high 19 points and her seven rebounds were also a career best. Fortman was also credited with two of UB’s three blocked shots. Bennett finished the game with 14 points, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc, and Turner notched a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Bennett also recorded a game-high five steals. Sophomore Ashley Zuber (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland) had eight points and a game-high five assists.

Albany was led by 20 points off the bench from Charity Iromuanya and 19 points from Britney McGee. Kristin Higy had 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The Bulls have now wrapped up their three-game road trip with a 2-1 record and will return home for a pair of games beginning on Saturday, Dec. 15. UB will host Cleveland State at 7:00 pm.

12/05/2007