Buffalo women get first NCAA Tournament victory
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. » Cierra Dillard scored a career-high 36 points and No. 11 seed Buffalo got its first women’s NCAA Tournament victory as it defeated sixth-seeded South Florida 102-79 in a first-round Albany Regional game on Saturday.
It is the first time in an NCAA Tournament game that a Mid-American Conference team has gone over 100 points. It is also the first time since 1995 that Buffalo has scored more than 100 points.
Buffalo, which is making its second NCAA appearance, trailed 29-18 midway through the second quarter but went on a 20-7 run the remainder of the quarter to take a 43-38 lead at halftime. Wilkins had eight points during the run and Stephanie Reid added six.
Buffalo (28- 5) was 14 of 27 from the 3-point line, including 7 of 13 from Dillard. Courtney Wilkins added 23 points and Reid 19. Buffalo was also strong from the foul line, making 22 of 24.
Kitija Laksa led South Florida (26- 8) with 28 points and Maria Jespersen
added 23 points and 11 rebounds. USF was 32 of 63 from the field, but was 7 of 23 on 3-pointers.
BIG PICTURE Buffalo: This is the 17th game this season where the Bulls have scored 80 or more points, which is a program record. They are 15-2
when reaching that mark.
South Florida: Visit Tallahassee might want to hold off contacting coach Jose Fernandez. This is the second straight year the Bulls have made the fourhour trip north to Florida’s capital and dropped a firstround game.
RECORD BOOK Dillard’s previous career high in a game was 30 against Toledo earlier this season. The seven 3-pointers tied a career high. UP NEXT Buffalo will face thirdseeded Florida State in Monday’s second round.