When a team comes into a game with two straight losses, its players are usually focused and determined to end their losing ways. When the team they're facing has beaten them at home nine straight times, an extra shot of adrenaline is added.
The Buffalo women's basketball team (10-8, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) traveled to Kent State and defeated the Golden Flashes (5-11, 2-3 MAC) at the M.A.C. Center 78-71. The win marked the end of a two-game losing streak for the Bulls, to Ohio and Bowling Green.
It was also the first time a Buffalo basketball team won at the M.A.C. Center. Head Coach Linda Hill-MacDonald admits that her team needed this victory.
"This was a huge win for us," MacDonald said. "Not just because we were coming off of losses, but because it was Kent State...The fact that we have never beaten them and it came on the heels of having two sub-par performances made it all the sweeter."
Knowing that the Bulls have struggled at Kent State, Buffalo students came out in full force. About 20 students from Buffalo's student organization True Blue greeted the team, giving the women even more motivation.
"You can't even imagine (how much of a lift it gave us). That was so helpful. It was wonderful to have them in the stands. They were loud and enthusiastic," MacDonald said. "I don't know if fans realize how much of an impact they can have on a game in terms of the energy and excitement they can provide for a team."
The Bulls were led by freshman forward Tierra Jones, who came off the bench and had a career-high 17 points. MacDonald was very impressed with the effort of her freshman post player.
"Three of our starters were in foul trouble in the first half and Tierra had to go in. She played like a veteran and played with a great deal of confidence," MacDonald said.
The Bulls got off to a great start. Early in the game, sophomore guard Ashley Zuber hit two three-pointers and helped Buffalo get off to an early 12-2 advantage. She finished the game with 11 points while contributing five assists.
"Ashley had struggled with her focus a little bit the previous two or three games and I thought she came into the Kent State game knowing what she needed to do," MacDonald said. "She obviously was committed to the game plan."
"She played close to 40 minutes, so she was very instrumental in keeping her team grounded in that game when Kent would go on a run. She helped her teammates stay where they needed to stay on defense," MacDonald added.
Senior guard Stephanie Bennett did not have a great shooting night, but was still able to lead the Bulls to victory with her leadership. Bennett had 13 points on 4-for-17 shooting. She also led the team with seven assists.
"Stephanie missed a lot of shots but she hit the big ones," MacDonald said. "She's done that every game for us. Her leadership is something that has helped this team since she was a younger player. She's been a captain for this team for three years. That leadership role is really important to this team, and Stephanie has done a great job at it."
With three minutes left in the game, the Bulls held a 63-62 advantage. At that point, Jones took over. She scored on two straight three-point plays to help the Bulls pull away, netting 10 of Buffalo's 15 final points.
The Bulls now play five MAC-West teams. Their next game is against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Alumni Arena. The game starts at 4 p.m.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
