MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament Semifinals Recap: Toledo survives valiant comeback attempt by the Bulls

JoAnna Smith led Buffalo to an early lead, before Toledo battle back and took the lead shortly before the end of the first quarter.

The Bulls again started the quarter hot and eventually retook the lead on a Katherine Ups free throw. Mariella Santucci heated up for the Rockets, and helped them take the lead into the locker room, 34-27.

Olivia Cunningham heated up midway through the third quarter, and pushed the Rockets lead to 12 with 4:06 left. After a couple of Cunningham free throws at the :53 second mark, the Rockets had their largest lead, 51-37.

An Ups layup right before the end of the quarter brought the Rockets lead back down to 12.

Buffalo battled back, and a Gabi Bade layup brought them within 4. After a couple of blocks down low by Mariah Suchan, the ball ended up in Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott’s hands, and she was able to put it in.

The Bulls couldn’t get any closer, as the Rockets knocked down their free throws.

Final score, Toledo Rockets 72, Buffalo Bulls 65.

Santucci led the Rockets with 21 points and 4 assists. Bravo-Harriott added 12. Mikaela Boyd had 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Bulls were led by JoAnna Smith with 17 points.