Trying to earn its second consecutive victory in Mid-American Conference play, the women's basketball team fell just short against Kent State at Alumni Arena. The Bulls (6-11, 1-4 MAC) were defeated 72-69 by the Golden Flashes (8-8, 4-1 MAC).
Buffalo had an opportunity to tie the game at the end, but junior guard Stephanie Bennett missed her three-point attempt with 4.8 seconds left in the contest.
"I think it's a matter of a shooter, whether you make them or miss, not to be afraid to shoot," Bennett said. "If I am that open, I have to knock down the shots."
Buffalo shot 45 percent for the game, going 27-60 from the field. Buffalo converted 47.1 percent of its three-pointers, hitting eight of 17. The Bulls shot 70 percent from the free throw line, going 7-10.
"I am really proud of the effort," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "It's disappointing to play that hard and to come away empty with such good stuff out there. I thought we battled for 40 minutes and that's what we were looking for and that's a real positive."
The game was relatively close throughout the entire contest. Kent State held the largest lead in the game in the first half when it was up 23-15 with 11:03 remaining.
With 46 seconds to go in the first half, Kent State was up, 36-29. Buffalo charged back finishing the half with five straight points from senior guard Belinda Gibb. Gibb hit a three-pointer with two seconds left before halftime. The Golden Flashes extended their lead to six points three times, but Buffalo fought their way back on every occasion.
Junior forward Heather Turner stepped up in the second half after being in foul trouble in the first half. With Buffalo trailing 40-34, Turner hit her first ever three-pointer to start the Bulls scoring.
The Bulls rallied to tie the game at 40, but Kent State took control once again. The Golden Flashes got a lay-up from Kristin Peoples to go ahead 52-46 with 12:41 to go.
Sophomore guard Rachelle Matthys contributed six out of her team-high 16 points to help tie the game at 52 with 10:40 remaining. Turner would grab one of her five rebounds and make a lay-up to put the Bulls up 54-52.
Buffalo could not hold onto the lead as Kent State would gain another six-point lead, going up 60-54 with 5:56 left in the game.
Bennett came to rescue for the Bulls this time. At this point in the game, Bennett was only 1-8 shooting but found her stroke at the right moment. Bennett hit three straight three-pointers to give the Bulls a 63-60 lead with 4:38 to go.
"I was thinking that we were going to win the game," Hill-MacDonald said. "Even down by six, we were playing good enough throughout the game to win."
With 44 seconds left, People's drained her shot to put the Golden Flashes ahead by two. Kent State did not hand over the lead after this.
Matthys was one of four Bulls who scored in double-figures with 16. She shot 7-13 from the field, including 2-3 from three-point range. Matthys also contributed six rebounds, five of them on the offensive side of the court.
Turner was dominant in the interior. She finished the game with 12 points, going 5-6 from the field and pulling down five rebounds and three blocks. As a team, Buffalo tallied six blocks in the contest.
Gibb helped the Bulls stay close in the first half, shooting 5-6 in the first half with 12 total points and finished the game with 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
Kent State was led by Peoples and La'Kia Stewart. Peoples tied for the team lead with 17 points, and also added three assists. La'Kia Stewart also added 17 points while bringing down six rebounds. Forward Tiffany Lafleur led the Flashes in rebounds with seven.
Buffalo committed 18 turnovers, while Kent State only had 15. The Golden Flashes finished with 36 points in the paint and the Bulls earned 26.
"There are areas we need to improve upon to get where we want to be," Hill-MacDonald said. "We need to work on our turnovers, boxing out, making stops when we need to, and containing penetrators."
With the first round of games against MAC East opponents finished, the Bulls will travel on the road for their first two games against MAC West foes. Buffalo visits Toledo on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
