With injuries plaguing the women's basketball team, head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald was forced to dress just eight players for their road game at Central Michigan on Saturday.
???What the Bulls lacked in quantity, they made up with quality play; but the result was similar after 40 minutes of basketball.
???Despite tallying its second highest point total of the season, Buffalo (4-15, 0-6 MAC) could not overcome frequent runs by Central Michigan (11-8, 3-3 MAC) and lost to the Chippewas, 89-81. It was Buffalo's 12th straight loss.
???The Bulls struggled on the defensive end against the high-scoring Chippewas. Easy penetration in the lane doomed Buffalo and made life easier for the Central Michigan offense.
???"Our problem was on the defensive end-- stopping their shooters, stopping their penetration and kick-outs," Hill-MacDonald said. "It's a wide-open offense and when you come against this team you have to be ready to play and defend penetration, and we didn't do well enough defending against penetration."
???Buffalo came out strong, scoring the first six points of the game. The home team answered by going on an 11-4 run that put them up by one. Central Michigan went on another run, taking a 30-18 lead after scoring 12 straight points. They went into halftime up by a score of 46-37.
???Halftime gave the Bulls time to regain energy and motivation. They got back in the game after starting the second half on a 9-4 run. They continued to battle and eventually tied the game at 62 after a three-point play from junior Dayna Smith with 8:53 left.
???But Central Michigan, the MAC's top offense, would not be denied at home. They scored the next six points to take a 68-62 lead they would not relinquish. They built up a lead as high as 11, thanks to consistency from the free-throw line.
???Sophomore forward Kourtney Brown tallied one of her best games despite the loss. She recorded her fourth double-double with a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. Brown also blocked four shots.
???Hill-MacDonald was impressed by Brown's performance from the free-throw line. The sophomore made 10 of 12 free throws, despite shooting below average from the line coming into the game.
???"We needed her to knock down shots [from the line], otherwise she becomes a punching bag for the other team... Kourtney does not want that reputation as someone you can foul," Hill-MacDonald said. "She's worked hard on her free throws and she's finally starting to get that motor memory. She's starting to shoot with consistency because she's been working at it."
???The Bulls received solid production from another post player. Sophomore forward Jessica Fortman added 17 points and eight rebounds, giving the Bulls a dominant advantage on the blocks.
???Senior guard Jamie Schiebner also scored in double-figures. She registered 12 points, five rebounds and a game-high five steals.
???The Bulls bench, with only three players, put in quality minutes. Sophomore forward Bridgette Kendricks added eight points and six rebounds. Senior guard Rachelle Matthys came off the bench and provided the Bulls with a solid defensive effort with a career high four steals.
???Hill-MacDonald was glad her bench came through and played hard in extended minutes. Kendricks stood out in her mind, especially on the defensive end.
???"She is very imposing out there as a defender because she's quick on her feet," she said. "She's long and very athletic and I think she intimidates out there on the defensive end and forces players to either pull up early or hesitate to make a pass when it's open. She gets her hands on a lot of balls."
???The Bulls continue the MAC West part of their schedule Saturday when they take on Western Michigan. The women tip off after the conclusion of the men's basketball game against Toledo, which starts at noon.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
