JoAnna Smith goes off for a career-high 31 as Bulls run past Kent State, 77-62

The difference in the game for the Bulls was their transition scoring and the production from their bench. UB collected a season-high 21 fast break points while the UB bench combined for 22 points in the 15-point victory. The Bulls have been great out in transition this season as they own the 198-75 edge in fast break points so far this season.

The Bulls got out to a quick start in the opening quarter as Smith connected on eight of the Buffalo’s first 10 points as they raced out to a 10-0 lead just two minutes into action. After the Golden Flashes cut UB’s lead to six, 10-4, Buffalo finished off the quarter on a 10-4 run powered by four Smith points and three from Mariah Suchan to give UB the 20-8 edge through 10 minutes.

Liisa Ups opened up the second quarter with her second three pointer of the season to extend UB’s lead out to 15 before Kent State scored four straight to get within 11, 25-14. Buffalo didn’t back down as they went on a quick 6-0 run as Smith netted four points and Courtney Wilkins sank a layup to make it 31-14 in favor of the Bulls. With the score 31-19 in favor of the Bulls, Wilkins connected on back-to-back three pointers and a layup as the Bulls took the 39-23 lead into the locker room.

The Bulls came out strong in the third quarter as they were able to push their lead out to a game-high 24 points, 49-25, as they went on a 10-2 run through three minutes. Summer Hemphill started the run with a layup before Smith and Reid each netted fast break layups. The Golden Flashes tried getting back into the game in the third as they made it a 17-point UB lead but Wilkins drilled a three pointer to give the Bulls the 60-41 edge through 30 minutes.

After exchanging buckets to start the fourth, the Golden Flashes made a little run as they scored nine straight to bring themselves within 10, 69-59. Smith wouldn’t let Kent State get any closer as she took a defensive rebound and raced down the floor for a fast break layup to end the run for the visitors. The Bulls wouldn’t let the Golden Flashes get any closer and they made their free throws down the stretch to earn the 77-62 win in front of the home fans.

Smith came out firing in the first half and never looked back as she was able to tie her career high with 31 points on 13-for-21 from the floor and 3-for-8 from behind the arc. The senior also grabbed four rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes of work. Wilkins came off the bench and recorded a season-high 13 points as she went 5-for-7 from the floor and 3-for-5 from behind the arc while playing 24 minutes.

Reid continued her strong play as she netted 12 points, five assists, a block and a steal while playing just 20 minutes. With her first assist of the game, Reid moved past assistant coach Ashley Zuber into fifth place on UB’s all-time assists charts as she has gathered 393 career assists. Liisa Ups had a strong game off the bench as she netted three points, a season-high five assists, four rebounds and a steal in a season-high 20 minutes of work. Katherine Ups finished her night with six points and four rebounds in 23 minutes of work.

For the game, the Bulls shot 47.5% from the floor while the Golden Flashes only shot 37.7%. Buffalo improved to 13-0 this season and 30-1 over the past two seasons when shooting a higher percentage from the floor than their opponents. The UB defense was able to force 20 turnovers which they turned into 18 points while Kent State was able to win the battle inside the paint, 34-30. UB won the rebounding battle 37-33 as they improved to 14-4 this season when grabbing more rebounds than their opponents.

Buffalo will have a week off before their next game on Saturday, February 11 as they welcome the Northern Illinois Huskies to Alumni Arena. The Bulls and Huskies will tip at 2:00 pm and the game will air live on ESPN3 with Paul Peck and Amy Audibert on the call.

from UBBulls.com via IFTTT