Much like their first two games of the season, the women's basketball team found themselves trailing early, this time to the Manhattan Jaspers. However, unlike their previous two games, the Bulls battled through adversity to gain their first win of the season.
In their opening match of the St. Bonaventure Tournament against Manhattan (1-2), the Bulls (2-2) found themselves down 11-6 after a little over four minutes. However, the Bulls kept the lead from growing. With 10:22 remaining in the half, a jumper by senior guard Belinda Gibb sparked 11 unanswered points for Buffalo.
"It was a different attitude out there," said Bulls head coach Linda Hill-McDonald. "We didn't get down so far that they had that look of hopelessness on their faces like we saw in the first two games. We just stuck with it and keep doing the things that we're doing and eventually we started to hit some shots."
Buffalo led by as many as seven, but the Jaspers stayed close throughout the half. The Bulls held a one-point lead as the teams heading into the locker room for halftime.
The second half was dominated by Buffalo. The team held Manhattan to just 20 percent on field goals, outscoring the Jaspers 32-17 in the final 20 minutes. This enabled the Bulls to win the game, 61-45.
Gibb led all scorers with 17 points, and junior guard Stephanie Bennett added 16 points and six steals. Forward Gabrielle Cottrell and guard Jenna Franciosa each had 10 points for the Jaspers.
The Jaspers were in foul trouble throughout the game, as the Bulls drew 22 fouls on the night. Three players for Manhattan had at least four fouls.
"Being aggressive, going to the rim off the dribble, was a real big factor," Hill-McDonald said. "When Kelly Reagan went out I thought that had a huge impact because she was such a presence inside."
The Bulls struggled from the foul line in their first two games of the season, but they were solid versus Manhattan. Buffalo hit its first 11 foul shots on its way to shooting 22-29 for the game.
With the win, the Bulls moved to the championship game on Sunday afternoon, where they faced the hosting St. Bonaventure Bonnies (2-2).
Early in the game, junior forward Barbora Homolova hit a jumper to start a 17-3 stretch in favor of the Bulls. Bennett added two three-pointers during the run.
However, the Bonnies fought back, by halftime they were within four, and with 14:11 remaining in the game Erica Schiefen cut the lead to one.
The Bonnies were unable to complete the comback though, as a three pointer by Gibb gave the Bulls breathing room. With 10:20 left, Homolova hit a three of her own to increase the advantage to ten, and the Bulls finished off the Bonnies 67-59.
For the second night in a row, Gibb scored 17 points to lead the Bulls, and was named Most Valuable Player for the tournament.
"She is playing outstanding basketball all around this season," Hill-McDonald said. "We've seen it in practice and in the off-season. Her work ethic is incredible. It really has paid off this year because she has really elevated her game."
The inside presence for Buffalo had a huge impact on the win. Homolova was 7-8 from the field and set new career-highs with 15 points and four blocks. Junior forward Heather Turner contributed 15 points to go along with eight rebounds. Turner, along with Gibb, was named to the all tournament team.
Audrey Latendresse led the Bonnies in scoring with 15 points, and Katelyn Murray chipped in with 14. Forward Ashley Edwards was just one rebound shy of a double-double, notching 11 points while pulling down nine boards.
"The defense really stepped things up and that's huge," Hill-McDonald said. "We did a much better job at the foul line. Those are things we came into the game with as goals. We met some of our team goals and it resulted in victory."
St. Bonaventure head coach Jim Crowley was impressed with the Bulls.
"We have to give Buffalo a lot of credit," Crowley said. "They made some shots we just didn't see before. We have to make shots, but credit their defense."
Buffalo will look to continue their winning ways this Tuesday night at Youngstown State. The game tips off at 7 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
