Bulls Blast Broncos for Berth in Championship Game

The Buffalo Bulls squared off against the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday, March 9, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for the MAC Women’s Quarterfinal. Buffalo got off to a hot start thanks to the lightning fast speed of Stephanie Reid, the senior guard from Australia. Cassie Ousler also contributed with two fadeaway jumpers. But the Broncos would not let the Bulls run away with it that early as Jordan Walker and Breanna Mobley battled back and went up 9-8 in the first quarter. The Bulls would then go on an unstoppable 12-0 run to end the first quarter and make the score 20-9 after one. The second quarter started off all Western Michigan as Breanna Mobley scored 6 unanswered points. But just as the Broncos started to find their groove, Buffalo came back and took the lead. Summer Hemphill stepped up big for the Bulls and Autumn Jones contributed off the bench.

The score at halftime would end up being Buffalo 32, Broncos 24.

The second half would be much like the first. The broncos would hit a shit and then the Bulls would answer back right away. It was not until mid way through the third quarter that Buffalo went on an amazing run thanks to Autumn Jones’ 4 point play which she then followed up with another 3 the next possession. The score at the end of the third would be 59-36, all Buffalo. Western Michigan’s struggles seem to come from their inability to shoot from beyond the arch, 20% from three, and defensive breakdowns against the Bulls’ quickness and physicality. Breanna Mobley was the Broncos only bright spot as she would finish the game with 21 points. For the Bulls their top scorers were Cierra Dillard with 17 points and Stephanie Reid with 12 points. The final result would be Buffalo 85, Western Michigan 53. Buffalo will play on Saturday in the MAC Championship Game against Central Michigan University.