University of Toledo
BUFFALO
Toledo Stumbles at Buffalo, 65-61
2/4/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - Buffalo's Brooke Meunier scored 17 of her game-high 19 points in the second half as the Bulls erased a two-point half deficit to defeat Toledo, 65-61, in Mid-American Conference action in Alumni Arena.
With the loss, the Rockets fall to 10-10 overall, 6-3 in the MAC, while the victory improves Buffalo to 5-13 and 3-5 in the league. Tonight's setback snapped UT's six-game win streak against UB and also ended its overall three-game win streak in MAC play.
"Buffalo outplayed and outworked us," Toledo Head Coach Mark Ehlen said. "I was really disappointed with our defensive effort. We didn't come ready to play. They smelled blood and saw a team that wasn't playing their best and to their credit they took advantage of it. They just worked harder than we did tonight."
With the score tied at 17-17 midway through the first half, the Rockets went on a 16-8 run to go up by eight, 33-25, with 1:17 remaining in the first half. The Bulls scored the final six points in the half to cut their deficit to two at intermission, 33-31.
Meunier knocked down a jumper on the Bulls' first possession of the second half to tie the score at 33-33, and she later hit a three-pointer to end a 12-3 Buffalo run to open the final 20 minutes and put the Bulls ahead by seven, 43-36. Meunier continued to pour it on as UB's lead grew to 55-46 with 7:48 showing on the clock. The Rockets would not fold and gradually chipped away to cut the lead to three, 62-59, with 1:50 remaining.
UB's Talia Merlino and Toledo senior Mary Blessing exchanged field goals to make the score 62-59, before junior Karin Hoogendam pulled the Rockets within one, 62-61, with an offensive putback and 57 seconds to play. After a Buffalo timeout, Meunier knocked down a tough shot with the shot clock winding down to put the Bulls up 64-61 with 27 seconds left. Toledo sophomore Leah Gonnella then missed a three-pointer and Meunier grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. Meunier missed her first shot but made her second attempt to seal the victory.
Blessing led three Rockets in double figures with 14 points, four assists and three steals. Other Rockets in double digits included Hoogendam (11 pts.) and senior Kelly Walker (10 pts.). The Rockets shot 35.8 percent (24-of-67) from the field and were limited to a season-low seven assists. UT also lost the battle of the boards, 40-34.
The Bulls had three other players reach double figures besides Meunier. Jessica Kochendorfer recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Kim Kilpela and Merlino added 12 points apiece. The Bulls shot 47.1 percent from the floor in the game (24-of-51).
Toledo will return home on Sunday, Feb.8 to battle Miami. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Hall.
