Rivals shape sports and provide energy and inspiration for countless athletes.
Bragging rights are on the line and fans of each side become hated enemies for those two halves. Saturday night's women's basketball game between Buffalo and Niagara did not disappoint.
"This is a big rivalry," said Niagara head coach Bill Agronin. "You don't want to lose to them. If this had been Syracuse or St. Johns, ok, we'll take it. This is a big game. I want out team to understand that. These are the types of games 20 years from now they're going to remember."
In front of a boisterous home crowd, the Bulls (3-5) fought off a valiant comeback attempt for a 70-59 victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles (6-2) at Alumni Arena.
"This has been a long time coming," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "I'm proud of this team for bouncing back from some adversity the last few days. I'm proud of the effort and the teamwork.
Five different players scored in double figures for the Bulls, with the starters accounting for 64 of the teams 70 points. Sophomore guard Rachelle Matthys led the way with 16 points and five rebounds. Junior forward Heather Turner continued her dominant play in the middle finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds despite only playing 10 minutes in the second half due to foul trouble. Freshman forward Kourtney Brown scored 12 points and senior guard Belinda Gibb added 11 points and seven rebounds.
Overall, the Bulls recorded 20 assists in the game, 12 of which came from junior guard Stephanie Bennett. Bennett's 12 assists gave her a new career-high and fell just short of the team record of 13.
"I love it when Stephanie's at point," Matthys said. "It's calm out there. She gets people in the places they need to be. You can tell the difference when she is out on the court."
Buffalo was able to take control of the game early with a 19-4 run in the first half that propelled the team to a 12-point halftime lead at 36-24. The Bulls continued to hold a comfortable lead in the second half, going up by 17 points with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation.
However, over the next nine minutes the Purple Eagles caused nine of Buffalo's 24 turnovers to go on a 25-12 run, closing the gap to 60-56 with 1:25 left in the game.
"We did not handle the press well at all," Hill-MacDonald said. "We just were not getting to our spots. We panicked a little bit at the pressure because we had not seen it in the game. I credit Niagara's defense."
Niagara would never get closer than four the rest of the way. Over the last minute of the game the Bulls connected on all 10 of their free throws, ending Niagara's hope for an amazing comeback.
"From here on out we have to play like we did today," Bennett said. "Everyone came out calm and relaxed. We played basketball like we know how to play. The offense flowed very smoothly."
Niagara was led by top scorer Shaunna Ambrose who finished with 23 points and Chantelle Wilson connected on six of her nine three-point attempts to finish with 18 points on the night.
Buffalo controlled the play in the paint and on the boards throughout the game. The Bulls out rebounded Niagara, 45-25, including 13 offensive rebounds compared to the Purple Eagle's six.
In addition, the Bulls outscored Niagara, 30-12, in the paint and out shot the Purple Eagles, 48 percent to 35 percent.
"We made lay-ups," Hill-MacDonald said. "We were able to get the ball inside and when we got it inside we were scoring. In previous games we were missing those easy shots. I thought the players came out with a much better focus on what we need to do."
This was just the second home game for the Bulls this year and the second season in a row the Bulls have defeated Niagara. Last season, Buffalo beat the Purple Eagles, 68-45, at Niagara's Gallagher Center. The victory is Buffalo's fifth in their last seven meetings with Niagara.
The Bulls will remain home for the second of four straight home games, when they face Albany on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
