Kim Kilpela Answers Back

While it wasn't exactly a clash of the titans, the matchup between the UB and Akron women's basketball teams would surely give the victor some badly needed momentum with just a few games to go before the Mid-American Conference tournament commences in March

Buffalo (6-17, 4-9 MAC) garnered some of that momentum and had three players scoring in double figures as they beat Akron (7-17, 2-11 MAC) in Ohio on Saturday, 61-54.

But most pleasing of all for the team must have been Kim Kilpela's performance, a senior who had sat on the bench in the previous two games due to poor performance on the court.

Kilpela, who had been verbally blasted by her head coach in press conferences after recent games, led all scorers with 17 points, 11 of which she scored in the first half of the game.

"(She) played one of her best games this year," said Bulls' head coach Cheryl Dozier. "She did a great job in the post, defensively and offensively."

Though the Bulls led going into halftime by a three-point margin, Akron came out firing in the second half with a 6-0 run to take a three-point lead of their own.

Buffalo wouldn't be deterred though, as they came back with a 12-2 run of their own capped off by a pair of free throws and a score by the recently returned Jessica Kochendorfer.

Akron would cut it the lead to as little as one point, but could never get over the hump and UB held on for the win.

"Because of the season we've had so far, any win is important," said Dozier. "But this one was especially important because we have two very big games coming up at Kent (State) and at Miami (Ohio)."

The last time these two teams met, the Zips beat the Bulls 71-59.

This time around it was a different story.

"We came out with more energy than we did last time," said Dozier. "We were ready to go from the get-go."

While Dozier said she is happy with the team's win, she still sees room for improvement.

"Are we ready yet? No. But we're getting closer," she said.

UB broke a four-game losing streak, during which they were out rebounded 160 to 129. This is the major point of improvement for the Bulls, as rebounding the ball has been a problem for them all year long.

The Bulls showed a little improvement on Saturday, with an equal amount of rebounds as Akron.

Buffalo also has to improve on the offensive side of the ball, she said.

"(We need) better balanced scoring. We had multiple players in double figures today. We need to continue that," said Dozier.

Kilpela led the Bulls - and the game - with 17 points. Brooke Meunier finished behind her with 14 points, and Kelly Calderone had 10. Jessica Kochendorfer chipped in with nine points, as well.

In addition to her 17 points, Kilpela nearly got a double double, with nine rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Bulls have just three games left this season, the next of which is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Kent, Ohio against the Flashes.