To college students everywhere, the four years that many spend reaching for an education comes and goes faster than ever imaginable. This is no exception to college athletes.
For senior forward Heather Turner and senior guard Stephanie Bennett, Wednesday night will be the last time they step onto the court in front of the home fans at Alumni Arena.
"We really didn't realize until now that we have one more [Mid-American Conference] game and then the (MAC) tournament," Turner said. "I am happy that I was able to play here and the experiences that I've had and the girls that I met. I've loved every second of it."
Bennett has also been emotional heading into her final home game and will miss her teammates after leaving school.
"It's definitely been bittersweet," Bennett said. "Things we know will be gone with all these girls and we will miss them... my experience has been great."
Turner and Bennett have achieved many milestones and records and have helped turn the basketball program around.
In their freshman year, the Bulls' overall record was a dismal 4-24 and 2-14 in MAC play. The following two seasons, the team won 10 games and only five MAC games in each one. This season, the current record is 14-14, with a 7-8 mark in MAC, the most overall and conference victories since the 2002-03 season.
"Winning just shows the changes that we have gone through... The hard work that all of us have put in and the determination that we have and we learned a lot," Turner said.
Turner and Bennett are both members of the 1,000 point scorers club at Buffalo. The two will leave Buffalo as the highest-scoring duo in school history in a four-year career. Turner accomplished the feat at the end of her junior year. She is also the first player in school history to score 1,200 points and grab 800 rebounds.
"It's a great accomplishment, but I really have to thank my teammates," Turner said. "They are able to get me the ball and my accomplishments are their accomplishments."
It took Bennett a little longer to get to 1,000 points, as she reached the mark this season on Feb. 3 against Ball State. There are currently 17 Bulls players that have reached this milestone in their careers.
"Honestly, heading into the game, I didn't even know about 1,000 points and that is a good thing," Bennett said. "I just went and played the game and when I found out about the stat, it felt good. The win was much more sweet... so beating Ball State was the best thing."
One record that Stephanie Bennett broke in the 2006-07 season is minutes played. Bennett logged 1,078 minutes during this season and averaged 11.2 points per game that year.
Turner is the all-time school leader in field goal percentage for a single season and career. In the 2005-06 season, Turner shot 61 percent from the field in 28 games played. For her career, Turner has made 59 percent of the shots that she has put up, making 557 of 942 attempts. This is the second most made field goals in school history, only 46 behind the all time record of 603.
"Practicing against these girls every day helps me get ready and prepare for what I am going to see in the game. I am confident heading into the game and so are they." Turner said.
Every season, Bennett has increased the number of three-point shots that she has made. This season, she has connected on 74 of 187 attempts, good for almost 40 percent of her shots. Bennett is ranked third in single-season three-point shots made and is second in school history with a total of 228 three pointers in four years.
"My team always helps me with my success," Bennett said. "It takes a lot of hard work, extra practice and extra shots just to get into that rhythm and be ready to shoot when I do get the ball."
Another part of Bennett's game that makes her such a formidable player is her ability to pass the ball. She has dished out 422 assists, which is fourth in school history. In the past two seasons, Bennett has recorded 252 assists as the teams point guard.
"I think my favorite two things to do are to get an assist and get a rebound," Bennett said. "It's a great thing that I've had with Heather to just get it inside to her because when she puts up a shot, it usually goes in and that's an automatic assist."
Both players agree that head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald has made a drastic impact on their careers and for the program.
"She has taught us a lot, especially to get back to the basics from shooting to execution and having confidence. She helped us rise from the ground up to gain our confidence and get more wins," Turner said.
The one thing missing from Turner and Bennett's four years at Buffalo is a MAC Championship. Winning a championship would a wonderful feeling for both players as their careers finish at Buffalo.
"Winning the MAC title would mean the world... it would be so special for all that we have gone through," Turner said. "All the hard work that everyone us has put in and for the five seniors that have been here the whole time through the troubles. It would be good for Buffalo and good for us."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
