Katherine Ups kicked off the 2016-17 campaign with arguably the best game of her career. The junior forward finished with a career-high 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals while knocking down a career-best four three-pointers. Cassie Oursler also had a solid game with 13 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. She sparked a defensive effort that saw the Bulls force 24 UMass turnovers that the Bulls were able to turn into 25 points.
In here Buffalo debut, freshman Summer Hemphill had an impressive eight points, a game-high nine rebounds and two steals in only 17 minutes of action. UB outrebounded UMass, 46-34, and had 20 offensive rebounds.
The Bulls opened up the game on a 14-0 run as JoAnna Smith and Katherine Ups each netted a pair of three-pointers before Stephanie Reid finished off a fast break layup after a nice steal. After the Minutewomen hit their first shot of the game, Katherine Ups responded with her third three-pointer of the quarter to give UB the 17-2 edge. UMass was able to end the quarter on a 6-3 run as the Bulls took the 20-8 edge into the second quarter.
The second quarter wasn’t pretty for either side as the Minutewomen were able to outscore UB just 8-6 in the quarter as the Bulls went to half with the 26-16 lead.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair as Katherine Ups opened the scoring with a layup before UMass answered with five straight points. Brittany Morrison grabbed an offensive rebound and made a layup before netting a pair of free throws to give UB their largest lead of the third, 11 points. UMass was able to cut into the UB lead down the final minutes of the third as they headed to the final quarter trailing Buffalo 39-30.
The Buffalo post players put the game away in the fourth quarter as Oursler was able to net seven points and grab three rebounds while Hemphill scored four points and grabbed five big boards for the Bulls. A pair of late Gabi Bade three-pointers extended the UB lead out to 14 as the Bulls sealed their opening game victory, 61-47.
The Bulls will return to the Alumni Arena floor on Wednesday night as they welcome the Niagara Purple Eagles for a 7 p.m. game.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
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