Bulls Use Strong Defense In Victory Over Albany

UB allows the fewest points in a game since the 2002-03 season

Heather Turner

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team put forth one of its most dominant efforts of the season, defeating Albany, 61-35, Wednesday night at Alumni Arena. The victory improves UB’s record to 4-5 on the year, while Albany falls to 2-6. The 35 points given up by Buffalo are the fewest since allowing 35 in a victory against Cornell on Jan. 20, 2003. This is also just the third time UB has allowed 35 points in a victory since 1981.

After Albany scored the first basket of the game, freshman Kourtney Brown (Solon, OH/Solon) answered quickly with a layup and the Bulls would never look back in the victory. The Brown layup began a 17-2 Buffalo run, giving UB a 13-point lead. The Bulls only allowed 18 points in the first half, taking a 33-18 lead into the half. Buffalo would embark on a 12-0 run in the second half, taking its largest lead of the game at 28. The Great Danes converted on a basket at the end of the second half for the final margin of 26.

“ I am really pleased with tonight’s game,” said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. “I thought we got solid contributions from everyone, including our bench, and our team just followed the game plan and executed what we told them would provide them success tonight and that is a very good feeling as a coach.”

The Bulls were led by junior Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) who had a season-high 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Turner also recorded seven rebounds to garner team-high honors with Brown. Sophomore Rachelle Matthys (St. Clair, MI/St. Clair) continued her stellar play at home, finishing with 11 points and five rebounds. Matthys converted on three-of-six from behind the arc. UB did its best job this season of taking care of the ball, recording 15 assists against just 11 turnovers. Albany did not have as much luck, recording only four assists on the night with 20 team turnovers. UB turned those turnovers in 21 points.

Ashley Zuber

Enjoying her best game as a UB student-athlete was freshman Ashley Zuber (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland) who recorded a career-high eight points on 4-of-6 shooting. Zuber also recorded a rebound and an assist. The majority of UB’s dimes came from junior Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge), who followed up a 12-assist performance against Niagara with seven on the evening. Bennett added seven points on the night. Senior Belinda Gibb (Denmark, Western Australia/Willetton) added four assists, all in the first half.

The UB defense allowed Albany to shoot just 22 percent from the field, including just 7.7 percent from three-point range on 1-of-13 shooting.

In all, the Bulls played 13 different players, including junior Flynn Pyykkonen (Clarkston, MI/Birmingham Marion) who made her first appearance on the season after recovering from a knee injury. Sophomore Tomi Abayomi (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) recorded her first career assist.

The Bulls remain at home this Sunday when they face UMass at Alumni Arena. Tip off is set for 1:00 pm.

12/06/2006