UAlbany Women's Basketball Falls to Buffalo, 70-69, in Overtime

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Stephanie Bennett hit a 3-pointer with 2:17 left in overtime to lead Buffalo to a 70-69 win over UAlbany in women’s basketball action at the SEFCU Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Bulls’ Heather Turner sank two free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 63-63. Britney McGee attempted a 3-pointer and teammate Amira Ford gathered the rebound but was unable to get the ball in the hoop, sending the game to overtime. McGee scored first in the extra period to give the Great Danes’ a two-point lead, but Buffalo tied the game on the next possession on a jumper by Dortae Freeman.

Jamie Schiebner hit two free throws at 3:03, while McGee made one-of-two to keep the Bulls in front. Charity Iromuanya followed with one free throw to tie the game for the sixth time at 67-all before Bennett knocked down her three from the top of the arc. Iromuanya pulled the Great Danes back within one with two more from the charity stripe with 35 seconds left on the clock, and Kristin Higy grabbed a rebound on the defensive end, but UAlbany could not get a final shot off in the last five ticks.

UAlbany (1-8) battled back from a 8-point, 40-32, halftime deficit, outscoring Buffalo 19-9 over a nine-minute span in the second half to tie the game at 59-59 with 3:17 left in the game. The Great Danes, who made a season-high 11 3-point field goals in the game, hit four treys in that span, including one by Higy that tied the score. The teams traded baskets on possessions before Iromuanya made a steal on Freeman and handed the ball off to Higy who scored in the paint to give UAlbany its first lead of the game at 63-61. Higy fouled Turner on the next possession which resulted in the tying free throw shots.

“This is the best loss we’ve had,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team shot a season-high 39.3 percent from 3-point range. “This is a momentum swing for us. We got in a deep hole, but we had people step up. We’ve had a slow start, but we’re trying to be the best team we can be in January and February and this is a step forward.”

Iromuanya led all players with a game and career-high 20 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals en route to being named the America East Conference Player of the Game. McGee added a career-best 19 points, six boards, three assists and three steals while Higy chipped in with 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Jessica Fortman led Buffalo with 19 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, one steal and one assist. Turner finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down a game-high 11 caroms. Bennett, who went 4-for-6 from 3-point land to lead the Bulls to a 64.3 percent shooting percentage from long range, added 14 points for Buffalo (5-3).

UAlbany will continue non-conference play with a road trip to Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.