BUFFALO, N.Y. — A total of four women's college basketball Big 4 teams were in action Saturday, as were two of the men's teams:
NCAA women
Buffalo 77, Central Michigan 65
Chellia Watson scored a game-high 26 points to lead Buffalo (7-6, 1-1 MAC) to its first win of conference play. The Bulls shot over 50% from three-point range, connecting on 9-of-17 shots from downtown. Becky Burke's squad also carved out an 18-8 advantage on points off turnovers over Central Michigan (1-10, 0-2 MAC).
Rana Elhusseini (15 points), Kirsten Lewis-Williams (15 points), and Hattie Ogden also scored in double figures for the University at Buffalo.
Niagara 72, Mount St. Mary's 61
The Purple Eagles overcame a 30-point performance from the Mountaineer's Jo Raflo, and outscored Mount St. Mary's 32-15 in the fourth quarter as Niagara (6-8, 3-1 MAAC) picked up the win at the Gallagher Center.
Chardonnay Hartley (19 points) and Aaliyah Parker (17 points) led the way for Niagara, which overcame a 17-point halftime deficit to rally past Mount St. Mary's (3-10, 0-4 MAAC). The Purple Eagles won the rebound battle 38-30, and had a 26-16 advantage in points off turnovers.
Fairfield 64, Canisius 51
The Golden Griffins (8-5, 3-1 MAAC) suffered their first loss of conference play in a battle of teams that came into Saturday unbeaten in Metro Atlantic play. Fairfield (12-1, 4-0 MAAC) held Canisius to 38.5% shooting from the field and just 2-of-12 from 3-point land.
Bri Rozzi scored a team-high 13 points for the Golden Griffs, while four players scored in double figures for the Stags, led by Meghan Andersen with 19 points.
Rhode Island 65, St. Bonaventure 41
Isabellah Middleton was the only Bonnies player in double figures with 12 points, as a tough shooting night led to St. Bonaventure (4-10, 1-2 A-10) falling by 24 at Rhode Island (11-5, 3-0 A-10).
The Bonnies connected on just one of their 18 three-point attempts, while the Rams in turn connected on 10 triples. After being tied at the half, URI outscored St. Bonaventure 36-12 in the second half to pull away.
NCAA men
Richmond 65, St. Bonaventure 54
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jordan King's 18 points helped Richmond defeat St. Bonaventure 65-54 on Saturday night.
King shot 6 for 15 (2 for 8 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free throw line for the Spiders (9-5, 1-0 Atlantic 10 Conference). Isaiah Bigelow scored 13 points and added 13 rebounds and three steals. Dji Bailey shot 4 for 8 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 9 from the free throw line to finish with 13 points.
Moses Flowers led the way for the Bonnies (10-4, 1-1) with 15 points. Chad Venning added 13 points for Saint Bonaventure. In addition, Charles Pride finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Western Michigan 82, Buffalo 77
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Seth Hubbard scored 19 points as Western Michigan beat Buffalo 82-77 on Saturday.
Hubbard had five rebounds for the Broncos (5-9, 2-0 Mid-American Conference). B. Artis White added 17 points while going 6 of 16 (3 for 6 from 3-point range), and he also had six assists. Anthony Crump was 4-of-5 shooting and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points, while adding 10 rebounds.
Sy Chatman led the Bulls (2-12, 1-1) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Isaiah Adams added 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals for Buffalo. Ryan Sabol also put up 15 points.
