The women's basketball team looked to have an upset bid over one of the top Mid-American Conference teams for the first 37 minutes. However, in the final three minutes Toledo proved why it is a title contender.
On Saturday afternoon the Bulls (6-16, MAC 1-7) wore pink jerseys in their annual breast cancer awareness event, the "Play 4 Kay" game. The sea of pink could not help Buffalo as the Rockets (13-7, MAC 5-2) overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Bulls, 77-75.
Poor 3-point shooting (2-of-13) from the Rockets and a hot start for Buffalo – capped off by a junior guard Nicki Hopkins' 3-point buzzer beater, helped the Bulls take a 49-34 lead into halftime. However, the first half woes of the Rockets would not continue in the second frame as they managed to outscore the Bulls 43-26 in the second half to cap off a monumental comeback.
Senior guard Brittany Hedderson torched the Rockets for 18 points in the first half, and the Bulls shot an impressive 54 percent. But the Rockets came out much stronger defensively in the second half.
"They were being a lot more physical [in the second half]," Hedderson said. "Their posts are so big, there weren't a lot of spots I could find to try to get open."
The Rockets focus on shutting down the Bulls leading scorer was successful in disrupting the offense. They were able to hold the Bulls to only 28 percent shooting from the field in the second half.
"They were really keyed in on [Hedderson]," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "[They did not] let her get open looks or get the ball. It was a very physical game." Despite the Bulls sub-par second half effort, they found themselves only trailing by two points with three seconds remaining. With Hedderson having fouled out, sophomore guard Margeaux Gupilan threw up a prayer from three-quarter's length but it was not to be and Toledo held on for the win.
"The game plan was to keep up the pressure in the second half," Hill-MacDonald said. "They got hot and we missed some assignments defensively and let them get some wide open looks from three."
Toledo's guard Courtney Ingersoll was responsible for two 3-pointers in the last few minutes of the game that gave the Rockets the momentum. While Toledo got stronger as the game went on, the Bulls became more passive.
"We didn't come out and play in the second half with quite the level of communication we did in the first half," Hill-MacDonald said.
Hedderson led the way with 23 points for the Bulls and sophomore center Nytor Longar chipped in 16 points as well. But the Rockets had a more effective scoring duo. Toledo center Yolanda Richardson's strength in the post helped her to a 17-point, 11 rebound double-double, while Toledo guard Andola Dortch added another 18 points.
Regardless of the struggles the Bulls are having this season, a bright spot has been true freshman forward Christa Baccas. A career-high 18-point game last Wednesday was complimented by a 10-point, nine rebound game Saturday afternoon.
The Bulls have lost eight of their last nine and will attempt to earn a much needed victory against a struggling Western Michigan (5-16, 2-6 MAC) team. They will travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
