Over the weekend, the Bulls women’s basketball team opened their season at home with a 69-63 win over Canisius in an exhibition game. This first game of the season was the UB debut for head coach Kristen Sharkey as well as the majority of the Bulls’ roster.
The Bulls came out ready to show what this new team could do, and they dominated the first quarter from the moment the first whistle blew. Freshman forward Meg Lucas came into the game early where she proved to be a force on both sides of the ball forcing Canisius turnovers and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates. Although the team had a strong showing, turnovers were common in this first quarter as the Bulls found their rhythm. The Bulls finished the quarter up 19-14.
When the second quarter started, returning junior guard Paula Lopez forced an early Canisius turnover that resulted in two points for the Bulls and set the tone for the rest of the half. Lopez would become a force in the remainder of the half by slotting points for herself but also by being a key playmaker for the team. Canisius’ finishing problem continued into the second quarter and with the combination of their high turnover rate the Bulls went into halftime up 35-27.
The Bulls came out hungry in the second half with the combination of Lopez and Lucas adding points and forcing turnovers; but Canisius had a new spring in their step and started the half with a couple minutes of really solid basketball which eventually led to the first tie of the game at 46-46 with just seconds left in the quarter. Lucas hit a free throw to put the bulls up 47-46 going into the fourth quarter.
Throughout the game, but especially in the second half, Buffalo native and graduate guard Gabby McDuffie was putting in the work and adding points from close range. With 7:48 left in the game Canisius tied again at 50-50. McDuffie quickly broke that tie with a quick drive to the hoop for two. Shortly after Canisius would take their first lead of the game with six minutes left and the score at 54-55. While Canisius was building their momentum freshman forward Diann Jackson fouled out of the game in her collegiate debut. The two teams passed the lead back a few times before the Bulls began to run away with it and Lopez solidified the win for the Bulls scoring the final eight points for the team.
The Bulls will be back in action next Monday, Nov. 3rd away against Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia at 6 p.m.
Ciah Courtney is an assistant sports editor and can be reached at ciah.courtney@ubspectrum.com
