#11 UB Women’s Basketball pummels #6 South Florida, 102-79, for first NCAA Tournament win

For the second time this week, a UB program won an NCAA Tournament game. #11 Buffalo Bulls Women’s Basketball put on a dominating performance to rout the University of South Florida Bulls, 102-79, on Saturday in Tallahassee, FL.

Saying it wasn’t the best start to the afternoon for Buffalo was an understatement. UB was selecting low quality shots and couldn’t push the transition game they’ve thrived on throughout the season. Adding fuel to the fire, the Bulls also struggled to put a cap on the interior and USF took full advantage. When the first quarter ended, UB was in a make or break scenario, trailing 20-11.

No one could’ve imagined what came next.

Cierra Dillard and Courtney Wilkins made it rain from beyond the arc. Everything was falling and it looked like USF was in panic mode. UB’s defense capitalized on the momentum and finally settled in—slowing down USF’s toxic transition attack.

Adding in crucial buckets was Stephanie Reid and Katherine Ups. Somehow and someway, the Bulls found themselves with a 43-38 cushion heading into the half against the #19 team in the country.

The foot didn’t come off of the gas pedal and UB went on a 13-1 run to open up the half as USF couldn’t figure out what to do on defense against Dillard and Wilkins. As Buffalo’s defense kept producing stops, the Bulls found themselves well on their way to an upset victory.

Oursler and Ups got in on the fun during the final ten minutes and the rest was history. UB eventually went on to eclipse the century mark for the first time all year.

When it was all said and done, Dillard finished the day with an explosive 36 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Wilkins and Reid also had a whopping 23 and 19 points respectively at game’s end.

The University at Buffalo is now just the second school to have both of its programs win its first NCAA Tourney game in the same year. Georgia did it back in 1983.

#11 Buffalo will now hang tight in Tallahassee for a tough challenge against the #3 Florida State Seminoles on Monday night. Tip-off and coverage has yet to be determined.