CLEVELAND (WIVB) — The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team is one win away from returning to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bulls upset No. 1 seed Toledo with a 77-74 overtime win Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland to advance to Saturday’s MAC tournament title game. It marks the team’s first appearance in the conference championship under second-year head coach Becky Burke.
Buffalo, the No. 4 seed, was in control for most of the game, leading by as many as 16 points in the third quarter as they carried a 53-38 advantage into the fourth. However, the Rockets (26-5, 17-1) came soaring back, embarking on a 17-2 run to tie the game with 5:29 to play.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but regulation ended with the score tied at 67.
Despite losing a significant lead, Buffalo (19-12, 10-8) kept its composure in overtime.
A Kristen Lewis-Williams layup with 1:08 gave the Bulls a 74-72 advantage that they would not relinquish, as Toledo never led in overtime. Clutch free throws from Paula Lopez and Hattie Ogden paired with defensive stops helped secure the win. The Rockets had a chance to tie the game in the dying seconds of overtime but missed on a 3-pointer.
Chellia Watson once again led the way for the Bulls, finishing with 30 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and five steals while playing all 45 minutes. Lewis-Williams chipped in 15 points.
UB will play the winner of No. 2 seed Ball State (28-4, 16-2) and No. 3 Kent State (19-10, 13-5) at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cleveland. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.