To be the top team in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), you have to beat the best. The UB women's basketball team failed to do this on Saturday night, as they lost to the three-time defending MAC champions, the Bowling Green Falcons 75-56 at Alumni Arena.
For the second straight game, the Bulls (9-9, 2-2 MAC) started the game slowly in the first half and were trailing by double-digits at halftime.
"We dug ourselves a hole and had a difficult time climbing out of it," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "The catchword for this team is consistency. We need to develop consistency in our performance and when that falls into place, we will be a pretty good basketball team."
Bowling Green (15-3, 4-0 MAC) hit its first three-point basket five seconds into the game and never looked back. Midway through the first half, the Falcons went on a 13-0 run to take a commanding 27-10 lead with 8:11 to go.
Buffalo was held to only 36 percent shooting in the first half. For much of the half, the Bulls were without their two leading scorers, as senior forward Heather Turner and senior guard Stephanie Bennett both sat with foul trouble.
"With Heather Turner and Stephanie Bennett sitting on the bench for a great deal in the first half, we were not the same team," Hill-MacDonald said. "It changes things when they are on the bench and we are playing younger players to take their place. It had an impact on the game."
Trailing by 20 points with 13:51 remaining in the game, the Bulls attempted to make a come back. Buffalo picked up their defensive pressure and caused Bowling Green to turn the ball over four times. This helped Buffalo climb within 10 points of the Falcons.
"Our defense helps create offense for us," Hill-MacDonald said. "When we are playing well defensively, we are a pretty tough team. We had them frustrated a bit. I thought we played their sets pretty well. We just didn't capitalize on their mistakes enough. We didn't have that killer instinct, but they did."
The Falcons responded to Buffalo's run by scoring 11 of the next 13 points in the game, to stretch the lead back to 19. The Bulls could not get any closer for the rest of the game.
"I think climbing within 10 points and possibly being tired might have been a mental block," Turner said. "We did not get over that. We had the lead in our sights and we need to learn to push through it. We need to capitalize on turnovers that they are making or rebounds that we are getting."
While holding Bowling Green to only one three-point basket, the Falcons were able to dominate inside the paint. Buffalo was out-scored 38-30 near the basket.
"The defense needs to be a little more focused on helping each other," Turner said. "The weak side needs to be there and we need to communicate more often and quicker. Once we do that, teams won't be able to drive as much."
Turner, who shot six of seven from the field, scored all 12 of her points in the second half and pulled down five rebounds to lead buffalo. Freshman forward Jessica Fortman, junior forward Jamie Schiebner and freshman forward Bridgette Kendricks all scored eight points. Junior guard Dortae Freeman contributed from every category, scoring five points, team-highs with five assists and four steals, and three rebounds.
Buffalo forced 19 turnovers, which resulted in 22 points. The Bulls caused 12 steals and had 13 second chance points.
Bowling Green shot 58 percent for the game. The Falcons were led by Tara Breske and Kate Achter. Breske finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Achter scored 16 points and dished out seven assists.
Buffalo will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they battle against Eastern Michigan at Alumni Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
