It was clear that the women's basketball team had to make some strides after posting a disappointing record in its previous two seasons. The team's progress showed as it took the program to new heights in the 2010-11 season.
The Bulls finished the year with a 16-16 record, a higher win total than their previous two years combined. Their 8-8 record in the Mid-American Conference was also a vast improvement. Buffalo's performance earned it its first ever postseason tournament berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational.
Buffalo's resurgence was spearheaded by senior guard Ashley Zuber and senior forwards Jessica Fortman, Bridgette Kendricks, and Kourtney Brown. The four combined for 65 percent of the Bulls' buckets for the season.
Brown became one of Buffalo's most recognized athletes through her extraordinary output on both ends of the court. Brown broke Brenna Doty's 14-year all-time scoring record when the Bulls beat Central Michigan, 92-89. She also broke Janet Lilley's 20-year-old rebounding record in the same game.
Brown's 1,995 points are the most points scored for either the men or women's basketball programs. She also ended her career with 1,124 rebounds, an All-America Honorable Mention, and a MAC all-time record 260 blocks.
The Bulls saw other records fall as well. In the CMU game, Fortman became the 19th player in the program's history to reach the 1,000 point plateau. Zuber provided the offensive spark for Buffalo on many occasions, and she led the team with 198 assists. She broke the Bulls single-game record with her 16 assists in January's 94-89 loss against Miami (Ohio).
The individual standouts helped Buffalo remain resilient throughout the season. The Bulls always found ways to bounce back from game-to-game even after the most disappointing losses.
Buffalo suffered a crushing 72-52 loss to MAC Champions Kent in February. Four days later, however, the Bulls came back to defeat Miami (OH), 77-74, in a thriller.
The Bulls suffered their worst loss of the season in their last regular season game – against Bowling Green. Buffalo dropped the game 92-68 despite Brown's 32-point performance.
The Bulls put the crushing blow behind them to host Ball State in the MAC tournament opening round. Buffalo's low turnover total led the Bulls to an 82-73 victory and a trip to Cleveland for the quarterfinals. There, Buffalo had its short tournament run ended by Central Michigan, 90-69.
The season finished with the Bulls' first postseason appearance, where Buffalo lost against Wright State, 82-79. Although it lasted for only one game, the Bulls' appearance in the Women's Basketball Invitational is still a new plateau for the women's basketball program.
Buffalo has a huge hole to fill with its four seniors graduating from the team. However, the task is made easier with the talent that this year's squad possesses. Junior guard Brittany Hedderson looks to be a major offensive threat in the fall. Her 343 points were bested by no one but Brown during the 2010-11 campaign.
Junior forward Beth Christensen and junior guard Nicki Hopkins will also be key factors for Buffalo. Hopkins made the team's second most 3-pointers and scored 17 points to push the Bulls to a crucial 70-65 win against. Christensen's 27 blocks were the second most on the team and she will be looking to improve those numbers.
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