UB Women’s Basketball Shock #1 Toledo To Advance To MAC Finals, Then Lose to Kent State

Two days after beating Bowling Green in the quarterfinal round, the Bulls women’s basketball team had an uphill battle ahead on Friday, facing top-ranked Toledo in the semis.

As in their previous game, the Bulls started strong, and then fought off a late challenge, except this time they dominated for the first three quarters, going into the fourth with a 53-38 lead. Toledo, undaunted, staged a remarkable comeback, going on a 17-2 run to tie the game with 5:29 left at 55-55.

The stalemate remained through the end of regulation, with the game tied 67-67 at the final buzzer. But the Bulls scored the first bucket of overtime and never relinquished their lead, winning 77-74.

Chelia Watson led the charge, playing every minute of the game and finishing with 30 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals. Kristen Lewis-Williams also had a strong game with 15 points.

Saturday, the Bulls faced #3 Kent State in the finals, and were again off to a strong start, leading 34-30 at halftime. And once again, their opponent went on a comebak run, as the Golden Flashes ended the third with a 59-47 lead. UB attempted a late rally, and a Hattie Ogden 3-pointer put them within 8 points (66-58) with 4 1/2 minutes to play. But Kent State’s defense shut the Bulls down, allowing only two more points, for a 78-60 win that will send the Golden Flashes to the March Madness tournament for the first time in 22 years.

Watson again led the Bulls with 21 points, and Rana Elhusseini and Alexis Davis scored 11 and 10. Losing is never fun, but the Bulls should finish the year with heads held high, ending one step away from the NCAA Tournament, in their second season under head coach Becky Burke.