University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: November 9, 2006

Football

UB 41, Kent State 14

UB spotted visiting Kent State 14 points, then roared back with 41 unanswered points for a 41-14 win over the Golden Flashes on Saturday in UB Stadium.

Freshman tailback James Starks rushed for 162 yards and scored three touchdowns and senior quarterback Tony Paoli, making his first career start, completed 14-of-20 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown as the Bulls dented Kent State's chances at a Mid-American Conference East Division title. Kent State fell to 5-4 and 4-2 in the MAC, while UB improved to 2-7 and 1-5 in the MAC.

The Bulls won the game due to the work of its offensive and defensive lines and a defense that forced five turnovers and gave up just 93 yards in the second half.

The game began to turn early in the third quarter when UB took its first drive of the second half and, jolted by a 54-yard run by Starks, drove 78 yards on just five plays—all on the ground—to cut the lead to 14-10. Starks finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown run.

The Bulls then completely swung the momentum their way on Kent State's next offensive play. Defensive end James Judges forced a fumble that Jesse Imes

recovered at the Kent State 21-yard line. One play later, the Bulls had the lead as Paoli lofted a perfect strike to wideout Terrance Breaux in the right corner of the end zone. The Bulls had the momentum and a lead they would not relinquish.

The hits kept coming for UB. On the Flashes' next play from scrimmage, junior linebacker Ollice Ervin forced receiver Marcus Hill to fumble after a catch and defensive tackle Ronald Hilaire recovered at the Kent 32.

The Bulls again took advantage as Starks spun off tacklers and zigzagged 19 yards for the score and after the PAT, the Bulls led 24-14. UB had scored 21 points in just three minutes and the stunned Flashes would never recover.

UB extended the lead on its next drive when senior placekicker Adam Tanalski continued his perfection on field goals. Tanalski booted a 42-yarder to cap a 55-yard, eight-play drive and extend the Bulls' lead to 27-14. The big play in the drive was a 26-yard completion from Paoli to Naaman Roosevelt.

The Bulls' defense came up big again with an interception on Kent's next drive.

After the Bulls were forced to punt and the Flashes started a drive at the Bulls' 37-yard line, redshirt freshman free safety Mike Newton stepped in front of a pass in the left flat on third-and-two at the UB 29 and returned it 59 yards to the Kent State 16 to set up another UB touchdown. It was Newton's second interception of the day and team-leading fourth of the season.

Once again, the Bulls had a one-play scoring drive as Starks bounced off right tackle and scored from 16 yards out.

The Bulls capped the scoring when senior Steven King bounced in from four yards out with 2:25 remaining.

The Bulls travel to Akron for a showdown tonight with the Zips.

Soccer

MEN'S

Northern Illinois 3, UB 0 (MAC Tournament)

The Bulls fought hard against top-seeded Northern Illinois Friday afternoon in the MAC semifinals, but fell short by a count of 3-0.

The team gave a valiant effort, despite playing two men down for the final 36 minutes of the match.

The Bulls finished the 2006 season with a 10-7-2 record, tied for the sixth-best record in UB men's soccer history.

Earlier in the week, seniors Daniel Bell and Kevin Balkanloo were named to the 2006 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District I University Division Men's Soccer Second Team.

Basketball

MEN'S

UB 91, Buffalo State 48 (exhibition)

UB cruised to a 91-48 victory over Buffalo State in an exhibition game on Friday night in Alumni Arena. Four Bulls scored in double-figures, led by Andrew Atman with 14 points.

The Bulls dominated play inside all night as they scored 44 points in the paint and out-rebounded the Bengals, 46-32. UB also played solid defensively, collecting 16 steals and forcing 30 Buffalo State turnovers.

UB will tip off the 2006-07 season tomorrow night when it takes on Canisius at the Koessler Center. It will be the nightcap of a doubleheader featuring the women's opener between the Bulls and the Golden Griffins.

WOMEN'S

UB 64, Holy Family 56 (exhibition)

The 2006-07 Bulls hit the floor for the first time on Saturday night, defeating Holy Family, 64-56, in Alumni Arena. Holy Family entered the contest as the 17th-ranked team in the nation in Division II and fresh off a 29-win season. UB led almost the entire contest, falling behind just once by one point, 10-9, with 13:40 remaining in first half.

The Bulls were led by Preseason All-MAC East selection Heather Turner, who just missed a double-double, recording game bests with 14 points and nine rebounds. Senior co-captain Belinda Gibb also looked impressive, scoring 13 points, including four-of-five shooting, and converting on all four attempts from the charity stripe. Freshman Kourtney Brown rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.

Buffalo will begin its regular season at 6 p.m. tomorrow against Canisius at the Koessler Center.

Volleyball

Toledo 3, UB 1

UB 3, Akron 0

UB continued a familiar pattern on Friday night, dropping its third-consecutive 3-1 match, this time to the Toledo Rockets in Savage Hall. Despite outblocking their opponent, the Bulls managed to hit just .170 on the evening. Toledo took the match 30-21, 22-30, 30-28, 30-26.

On Saturday, UB ended a seven-match losing streak in style, defeating Akron, 3-0, in Rhodes Arena. UB is now 14-17 on the season and 3-11 in conference play.

The Bulls took the match, 30-23, 30-21, 36-34 and received 15-kill performances from their two senior outside hitters, Nikki Morzenti and Jenna Mapé.

The Bulls will wrap up regular season action this weekend as they head to Western Michigan tomorrow and to Northern Illinois on Saturday.

Wrestling

Five Bulls take top honors at UB Open

Five Bulls took individual titles in their respective weight classes at the UB Open Sunday afternoon.

In all, 13 Bulls placed at the fourth annual event that featured 14 top-notch wrestling schools.

Senior captain Mark Budd took his third straight UB Open title at 133 pounds, winning a 10-3 decision over Finger Lakes' Mike Grey. Other title winners were junior Ryan Needle at 141 pounds, sophomore Scott Rendos at 157 pounds, junior Mike Ragusa at 165 pounds and junior Nate Rock at 174 pounds.

The Bulls next compete at the Oklahoma Gold Classic in Brockport on Saturday.

Swimming

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UB 184, Niagara 106

UB defeated host Niagara University, 184-106, in a nonconference meet at the Oxy Aquatics Center. The victory by the Bulls (2-0) was the 27th straight by UB over the Purple Eagles since the all-time series began in the 1948-49 season, UB's first as an intercollegiate program.

The Bulls won 12 of the 16 events on Saturday with all the victories by newcomers to the program for 2006-07. Individually, five freshmen scored double wins, with another freshman taking an individual victory. UB's winning relay team also consisted of three newcomers to the program in the foursome.

The Bulls look to continue the string of victories over their Western New York brethren as they next host Canisius on Nov. 17 in the home opener.

WOMEN'S

Akron 168, UB 127

UB dropped a close MAC meet on Friday afternoon to the Akron Zips, 168-127, in Akron. Despite the setback, the Bulls displayed strong performances in several events.

Freshman Ashley Schaffert cruised to first place in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:07.14, while fellow rookie Samantha Palma claimed a pair of victories for the Bulls in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle, turning in times of 24.82 and 53.97 respectively.

Frances Stephenson, Jessica Ballard and Rachel Sorg finished first, second and third in the 200-yard individual medley to add 16 total points to the Bulls' total. Another strong performance came in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as the Bulls claimed both first and second places.

Newcomer Meili Carpenter led the Bulls once again in the diving portion of the meet, turning in stellar performances in both the one-meter and the three-meter events. Carpenter took first place in the one-meter and second place in the three-meter.

The Bulls will return to action on Saturday against Toledo in Toledo.

Tennis

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Bulls conclude fall season at Big Green Invite

UB completed the fall portion of its schedule competing in Dartmouth's Big Green Invite. There was no team scoring and UB netters were able to reach the quarterfinal rounds of both singles and doubles play.

Senior Mike Rockman advanced into the quarterfinal round in both the singles and doubles competitions. Rockman teamed with senior Albert Alant in the doubles competition. For Alant, the tournament was his first taste of action this season after sitting out much of the fall with a foot injury.

Crew

UB crew completes fall season at Syracuse Invitational

UB competed in the Syracuse Invitational on Saturday at Syracuse University. The Bulls claimed a second-place showing in the women's four B flight and two top-five places in the novice eight event in a field consisting of Marist, Syracuse, Connecticut and Colgate.