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Bulls Emerge Victorious Against Cleveland State, 63-60

Jessica Fortman

The Vikings led for the majority of the first half, taking their largest lead of the game at six with 14:57 remaining in the first half. UB took one-point leads at three different occasions, including two on layups by Jessica Fortman (Ashland, KY/Russell). Cleveland State then went on a 9-2 run to take a six-point lead with 1:57 remaining in the first half. From there, UB began to chip away as senior Flynn Pyykkonen (Clarkston, MI/Birmingham Marion) hit a three to cut the Vikings lead to three. After two, CSU free throws, Pyykkonen again got UB within three on a layup with 19 second remaining. Cleveland State tried to use up the rest of the clock, but a turnover gave the Bulls the ball back with nine second to go in the half. That was just enough time for senior Stephanie Bennett (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) to drill a three pointer at the buzzer and send UB into the half tied at 33.

Heather Turner

The Bulls scored the first four points of the second half, but the Vikings responded tying the game at the 16:25 mark. It was one of two times that the game was tied in the second half. UB reached its largest lead of the game at five on a putback from Fortman with 9:22 remaining in regulation. The game got tied up at 54 with 5:28 remaining, but that tie was broken as a layup from senior Heather Turner (West Seneca, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) gave the Bulls a two-point lead. The Viking cut into the UB lead and were down by just one with one minute left. The Bulls then had the basketball and sophomore Ashley Zuber (Schnecksville,PA/Parkland) nailed a three pointer with 27 second remaining to give the Bulls a 62-58 lead. After Cleveland State’s Dominique Butler hit a jumper, UB hit a free throw and a missed three attempt by CSU’s Kailey Klein sealed the win for the Bulls.

“I thought our bench did a really nice job for us tonight,” said Hill-MacDonald. “As a team I think our players are starting to get that confidence that if they hang in there good things will happen. Confidence can go a long way and fortunately for our team it has helped us win a few games this year.”

Zuber led the way for the Bulls with 12 points, which was tied for tops in the game. Zuber also added four assists, while not turning the ball over all game. Fortman had 10 points and just missed a double-double with a career-high nine rebounds. Fortman also added two blocks, an assist and a steal. Turner, who played just 19 minutes in the game, had eight points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and added a game-high 11 rebounds. The UB bench contributed for 21 points, including six from sophomore Dayna Smith (Garfield Heights, OH/Trinity) and freshman Bridgette Kendricks (Parsons, KS/Parsons). Kendricks also added six rebounds in the game and three steals. Pyykkonen finished with five points, while junior Dortae Freeman (Detroit, MI/Cass Technical) added four points, three rebounds and two assists.

Linda Hill-MacDonald

Cleveland State was led by 12 points from Brittany Korth and Kailey Klein and eight rebounds from Butler.

The Bulls remain at home on Tuesday night as they host Jacksonville on Dec. 18. That game between the Bulls and Dolphins is set to tip off at 7:00 pm.