"Bulls feast on Leopards, snap losing streak"

The monkey is finally off their backs. After nearly two years without a road win, the women's basketball team picked up its first victory of the season and snapped a 19-game road-losing streak with a 65-56 win over the Lafayette Leopards.

Senior Brook Meunier led the UB women's basketball team (1-3 overall) in their first road win since February 2004 as she took control of shot opportunities and drained 19 points.

Meunier also achieved a career-high in assists with seven on the day.

Several other Bulls' players also scored in the double digits, including sophomores Stephanie Bennett with 13 points and Heather Turner with 10.

"We got good play out of the bench tonight," said head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald. "We were able to keep down the runs that Lafayette made on us."

UB came into the game performing more like leopards than Lafayette did, using speed and agility to make a quick impression on the scoreboard. The Bulls nailed eight goals to give them a six-point advantage early in the first half, including a three-pointer from freshman Rachelle Matthys and a lay-up shot from sophomore Barbora Homolov?Ae?.

However, the Bulls didn't hold down their opponent for long. Lafayette increased its game nearing the end of the half and snatched a one-point lead over the Bulls at the four-minute mark.

"We need to get more consistent through 40 minutes but we got a late lead in the game. We were able to maintain that lead throughout the game and that was important for the team," Hill-MacDonald said.

The Leopards didn't remain on top for long as junior Belinda Gibb stopped them dead in their tracks with a fast break towards the hoop that put the Bulls back in the lead.

Meunier then quickly added five points of her own followed by Bennett draining one of her four three-pointers of the night.

The Bulls ended the first half with an 11-point advantage over Lafayette after nailing five of six three-pointers.

UB came into the second half wasting no time. The team managed a 21-point lead over Lafayette but again lost consistency, allowing the Leopards a 17-2 run, which put them just six points away from regaining the lead.

The Bulls battled back once again for a 66-56 win. Wednesday's game handed Lafayette its second loss in a row and first home loss of the season.

"We're very glad to get this win," Hill-Macdonald said of her first victory with the Bulls. "It makes the ride back a lot nicer knowing we've got a win under our belts."

The team finished the game with a season-high 54.2 field goal percentage and a 46.7 percentage from behind the arc. Hill-Macdonald said she is pleased with her team's percentages, adding that the team's offense has improved its shooting since last year.

The Bulls' defense also played a major role in the victory as they out-rebounded Lafayette 37-29.

UB will challenge cross-town rival Niagara University at Niagara on Saturday at 5 p.m. Hill-MacDonald said she is hoping for a good fan turn-out to support her team and provide energy during what is expected to be an intense game.

"I think Buffalo and Niagara played through an overtime game last year and we lost by three points," Hill-MacDonald said. "But it's one of those games players wait an entire year to have that second opportunity."