BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Canisius College women's basketball team fell to cross-town rival Buffalo 54-40 at Alumni Arena on Tuesday night. With the loss, the Golden Griffins dropped to 0-2, while Buffalo improves to 2-0.  

After limiting the Bulls to just two made field goals in the first quarter, Buffalo exploded for 23 points in the second quarter to seize control of the contest. The story was much of the same in the second half, as the Griffs never got control offensively, getting outscored 24-21 in the final two quarters.

Rebounding proved to be a problem area for the team, as Canisius lost the battle of the glass 46-30. Buffalo took full advantage scoring 14 second-chance points, to bolster its lead.

As a team the Griffs struggled with accuracy, shooting just 31 percent from the field, hitting 15-of-47 and an uncharacteristic 4-fo-16 from beyond the arc. Buffalo shot slightly better, hitting 36.1 percent of its chances.

Margret Halfdanardottir led the squad as she scored a career-high 12 points in the victory. The Icelandic sophomore shot an efficient 4-of-7 from the field, including pair of treys in the second half.

Despite struggling from the field, shooting 2-of-10, Crystal Porter led the team in rebounds with eight boards in the contest. Porter made up for it at the charity stripe, knocking down 4-of-6 in the losing effort.

For the Bulls, Stephanie Reid paced the team with 12 points and seven rebounds, just missing out on the double-double. Katherine Ups was the only other Bufflao player to reach double-figures as he she poured in 10 points and notched seven rebounds as well.

Canisius, which came into the game having held the Youngstown State Penguins to just 12 points in the first half in the opening game, appeared to be destined to for the same in this contest, as the squad stifled the Bulls offense in the first quarter, holding the Bulls to just two field goals and seven points in the first quarter.

However, the second quarter was much different, as the Bulls went on a 19-4 run, which forced Canisius to call a timeout with 3:58 left in the second frame. While Buffalo's offense streaked to 23 points, the Griffs managed just eight in the quarter, which distanced the Bulls headed into the half.

Despite finding some offense in the final two quarters, as the Griffs scored 10 and 11 points, respectively, Buffalo was able to match, scoring 24 points for the final to frames to record the 54-40 woin.

The Griffs will host its home opener on Saturday as the squad hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) as part of a doubleheader with the men's team. The tip is slated for 1 p.m.