August 24, 2000-Vol32n1: Sports

VOLUME 32, NUMBER 1

THURSDAY, August 24, 2000

Sports

Women's basketball team posts 3-1 record in summer tour of Spain and France

The women's basketball team returned to the United States on Aug. 16 following a successful 10-day European tour during which it posted a 3-1 record playing against teams made up of club, university and professional players in Spain and France. Not one of the nine returning Bulls was disappointed about the early end to summer, as five days of double-practice sessions were gladly exchanged for the chance to travel abroad and experience another country, both on and off the basketball court.

It was a tremendous experience from both a basketball and a cultural standpoint, said third-year head coach Cheryl Dozier. "The World Sports Exchange should be commended for their great work; they put together a wonderful trip for our group. We also have to thank the UB administration for allowing us to take a trip like this. We were able to include many boosters, parents and support staff, and it was a great experience for everyone."

The Bulls arrived in Barcelona, Spain on Aug. 6 and after just one day of rest, earned two wins in three games over the next three days. Seniors Mari McClure and Sonia Ortega led the UB attack against CB Malgrat in the tour opener, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively, in a 75-38 victory.

The Bulls' only loss of the trip came in their second game against the University of Barcelona, a team consisting entirely of professional players. Sophomore Colleen Tabor led the team with 18 points and five rebounds, and McClure and Tiffany Bell also scored in double-figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively. UB held a 62-60 lead with 1:39 remaining in the game before the University of Barcelona battled back for a 69-63 win.

The Bulls rebounded with a 63-61 win over the University of Valencia behind a 14-point performance from sophomore Katie Blazewski. McClure finished with 13 points, while Bell added 11 and Ortega and senior Tara Perrier chipped in 10 apiece.

Following their second win, the Bulls left on an overnight train for Paris, where they finished their tour with an 81-38 win over Avenir de Rennes on Aug. 15. Ortega scored a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds and six steals, and Bell added 20 points, four rebounds and three steals. Tabor dished out nine assists to contribute to the win.

These exhibition games gave Dozier the opportunity to give playing time to every member of the team, and she expects the younger players especially to benefit from the experience.

"This trip was a great way to check the progress the athletes made over the summer, and there were some very bright spots," said Dozier.

The Bulls adjusted well to the European style of play, which is much more fast-paced with shorter stoppages in play. They played with either a 24-second shot clock or a 30-second shot clock, with a larger basketball and in quarters instead of halves. The opposition ranged in age from 15 to 33 years old.

"I'm proud of how the team handled the differences," said Dozier. "They were put in situations that will help make them stronger once the season starts. We had an opportunity to see a lot of different offenses and defenses, and we tried different lineups and combinations on the floor.

"Being together for 10 days was also a great bonding experience and a great way to learn to understand and tolerate each other. That will definitely help us during the season."

The Bulls will open the 2000-01 season on Nov. 17 when they host the University of North Carolina in Alumni Arena.

Seniors named captains for SU game

Head football coach Craig Cirbus and his staff tapped tight end Brandon Shaughnessy as offensive captain, Carlos Spencer as the defensive captain and defensive end Joe McKoy and kicker Scott Keller as special-teams captains for the game at Syracuse University on Sept. 2 in the Carrier Dome.

"The criteria was based on dedication and effort throughout the off-season," said Cirbus of his first group of weekly captains. "They are a great representation of the thorough commitment that was made by this football team in the off-season. A captain is one that you would hope the team looks up to, and based on their efforts and other players like them, it was an easy choice to make.

"There was such strong leadership from this senior class that we as a coaching staff felt we should select weekly captains, like we did in 1996, and then permanent captains at the conclusion of the season," said Cirbus.

Spencer was a captain as a junior last season, while Shaughnessy, McKoy and Keller have been appointed for the first time. The Bulls will continue their two-a-day practices through Saturday.

Bulls' games to be broadcast on WGR, WWKB

The Division of Athletics has reached a two-year agreement with Entercom Radio to broadcast Bulls' football and basketball games on both WGR-AM (550) and WWKB-AM (1520).

The deal will move UB football games to WGR Sports Radio 55, Buffalo's only 24-hour sports station. In addition, WWKB-AM will air every Bulls' men's basketball game again this season, as well as a schedule of 10 UB women's basketball games, including possible tournament games.

"We are very happy to continue our partnership with Entercom Radio," said Bob Arkeilpane, director of athletics. "Moving our football games over to the only sports station in town should prove beneficial as our program continues to evolve. In addition, we are excited to add a comprehensive women's basketball package to our agreement on WWKB. We look forward to a very successful partnership between UB Athletics and Entercom Radio."

The football broadcast team will consist of Rick Maloney, who has spent the past five years on the Bulls' broadcast team, on play-by-play and WGR's Chris Brown on color commentary. In addition, UB's football broadcast will include a half-hour pre-game show, as well as live post-game comments from coaches and players.

The men's basketball broadcasts again will feature Jim Rosenhaus on play-by-play, while Chris Brown will handle call of the women's games.