Women’s basketball (10-15, 5-11 MAC) pulled off a massive upset, 84-66, on the road against top-seeded Bowling Green (24-4, 13-3 MAC) Saturday.
Bowling Green had won 13 of their last 14 games prior to Saturday’s matchup while UB had won just one of their last 11. The last time these teams met, Bowling Green won a close game, 64-61, but UB was dominant from the start this time around. The Bulls jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and outscored the Falcons 23-10 in the first quarter.
UB did most of its damage on offense in the first and third quarter. After going into the half up 44-29, the Bulls pulled even further ahead in the third quarter, leading by over 20 points throughout the majority of the frame.
UB was led by graduate guard Re’Shawna Stone, who finished her night with 23 points, as well as six rebounds. Another notable player, sophomore forward Emerita Mashaire, contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Senior forward Allison Day was the only player who reached double digits for Bowling Green with 20 points.
The Bulls outshined Bowling Green in multiple categories on both the offense and defense. The Bulls shot 62% from 3-point range, going 10-16 from downtown, while Bowling Green shot 38%, only converting 7-31 3-pointers. UB also outrebounded Bowling Green 37-21, including 33 defensive rebounds and 4 offensive rebounds.
The Bulls need to take this confidence and run with it. At 10th in the Mid-American Conference, UB currently does not qualify to play in the MAC Tournament, as only the top eight teams get to participate.
Having said that, it’s not impossible for the Bulls to play in late March. Here’s how:
UB currently stands at 5-11 in conference play, and there is a three-way tie for seventh and eighth among Eastern Michigan (14-13, 6-10 MAC), Western Michigan (11-16, 6-10 MAC) and Miami (OH) (11-18, 6-10 MAC). If the Bulls can win the last two games of the season (both home against Akron and Western Michigan), and two of the three teams above mentioned lose, UB is in.
Saturday’s victory over Bowling Green was huge toward keeping UB’s postseason hopes alive.. Now the Bulls will be put to the test in the next two games to determine (with some help from other teams) if they will get to travel to Cleveland to compete in the MAC Tournament. UB will host Akron on Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+. The Bulls conclude the season with senior night against Western Michigan at Alumni Arena on March 4 at 2 p.m. That game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of UB Blueprint
