Women's basketball hopes to surprise Toledo

The UB women's basketball team will take on the Toledo Rockets Wednesday night, looking for their first road win of the 2004-2005 season.

Riding a three-game losing skid, the Bulls (1-4 MAC, 3-13 overall) are currently ranked last in scoring offense in the league, producing just 54.0 points per game. UB is also ranked last in the MAC in free throw shooting, owning a .590 shooting average from the charity stripe.

Despite the recent struggles endured by the Bulls, a handful of positives have been evident.

One bright spot for the team this season has been the play of freshman forward Heather Turner. Currently leading the MAC in field goal percentage, Turner is shooting 72-for-127 from the field, good for a .567 shooting percentage from the floor and Turner will likely be called upon by UB head coach Cheryl Dozier to contain Toledo's big gun, senior forward Karin Hoogendam.

Additionally, Turner is second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game and leading the Bulls in rebounding, averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.

Brooke Meunier continues to lead the Bulls in scoring, averaging 10.9 points per game, and will likely be complimented in the backcourt on offense by senior guard Allison Bennett and freshman guard Stephanie Bennett.

Allison Bennett, one of the most consistent Bulls, has started 72 consecutive games for the Blue and White and currently averages 9.2 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game. Stephanie Bennett is averaging 6.7 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game through her first season at UB.

Fresh off a comeback win against Miami (Ohio) last Saturday, the Rockets improved their record to 4-2 in the MAC and 8-9 overall. Ranked third in the MAC West, Toledo leads the league in blocks per game, swatting away 4.24 balls per game and is currently second in scoring defense, allowing opponents to score a minimal 59.0 points per game.

Hoogendam posted a double-double and led the Rockets with 18 points and a career-high 15 boards in the Rockets' win at Miami last weekend. The senior also leads Toledo in rebounding and is currently ranked third in the MAC in the category, averaging 8.1 rebounds per game. She is also second in scoring for the Rockets, averaging 13.7 points per game.

To compete with the Rockets, UB will also have to shut down Toledo's leading scorer, Danielle Bishop. Bishop is currently averaging 14 points per game, good to rank the sophomore ninth in the MAC in scoring.

In the last meeting between the two teams, UB stole one from Toledo on a Meunier hoop in the final seconds of the contest to claim the league victory by a 65-61 final score. Tip-off is slated for tonight at 7 p.m.