Women’s Basketball Fends Off Buffalo

Box score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – In a nip-and-tuck battle the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball proved up to the challenge, out-scoring the University at Buffalo, 15-2, over the final 4:27 to claim a 69-56 Mid-American Conference cross-divisional contest Wednesday night here in the Convocation Center. Cold shooting plagued the Eagles throughout the first half, but solid defense and persistent team play helped the Eagles fend off a solid Bulls squad.

With the win, the Eagles improve to 11-7 (6-1 MAC) while the Bulls drop to 6-13 (1-6 MAC).

The Eagles were led by senior Patrice McKinney (Lansing, Mich.-Everett) who had a career night on both ends of the floor. Outside of netting a career-high 30 points on the offensive end of the floor, McKinney also blocked a career-best five shots while tying her career-high in steals with four. The Bulls were led by Stephanie Bennett who scored 17 points.

Both teams opened the game with high energy, trading baskets back and forth for a 7-6 Eagle’s lead after the first 2:51 of play. Despite senior Sarah VanMetre (Noblesville, Ind.-Noblesville) cashing in from three point range twice and solid play from McKinney on both ends of the floor, the Eagles could not separate themselves from the Bulls. The Eagles only held a 17-16 advantage midway through the first half.

The teams continued to match each other through the rest of the first half. The Eagles fell down by two before senior Annie Malatinsky (Holt, Mich.-Holt) regained the lead with a long distance trey at the 7:44 mark. Buffalo responded with a 7-0 run before back-to-back baskets from VanMetre and McKinney closed the gap to 26-24 in favor of the Bulls.

Although the Bulls scored after a quick time out with 4:21 to play, the Eagles responded with a 6-0 run of their own, three of which came from Malatinsky at the charity stripe. The Bulls closed out the last 3:12 of the half strongly, as the teams headed into the lockerroom with Buffalo holding a slight 33-31 lead. Even though the Eagles forced 10 Buffalo turnovers, the team only shot 31.4% from the field in the first half.

The Eagles came flying out in the second half with another 6-0 run, capped off by a Pittman dish and a McKinney layup. Buffalo countered with a 7-0 run of their own, before Pittman hit from long range to bring the Eagles back to within one. A Buffalo three pointer extended the lead to 43-39, but Eastern Michigan was able to respond with four straight to tie the game back up with 12:11 left.

Fast break points allowed Eastern Michigan to gain a 51-50 lead, before Pittman connected again from three-point land to give the Eagles their biggest lead of the night with 5:28 to play. Buffalo quickly tied it back up with a three pointer and a free throw, before Eastern Michigan connected on back to back trips. The Eagles held a 58-54 lead heading into the final two minutes of the game.

A runner from Buffalo brought the game to within a basket before McKinney and freshman Emily Hanley (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community) hit layups to regain momentum and ultimately the win for the Eagles. Intentional fouls put Eastern Michigan at the stripe to finish off the game, as the Eagles prevailed, 69-56.

The Eagles will return to the Convocation Center Sunday, Jan. 28, to host the No. 17/18 ranked Bowling Green Falcons. Game time is scheduled for 4:30. Sunday will also be a special day as the team will celebrate its 2005-06 MAC West Division Championship and WNIT Postseason appearance as its unveils the banner at halftime of the men’s basketball game versus Buffalo which immediately follows the women’s game.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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