A 26-0 run spanning nearly eight minutes over the first two quarters helped Buffalo to a 102-42 victory over Canisius in non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday evening at Alumni Arena.
The contest was the season-opener for the Buffalo-based programs.
Buffalo had seven players finish with a double-digit point total, highlighted by Dyashia Fair's game-high 16 points.
Senior guard Erika Joseph and sophomore guard Dani Haskell led Canisius with 13 points each. Joseph's 13 points is a career high, besting an 11-point performance against Buffalo last season.
Haskell also posted a team-high seven rebounds, three more than her previous best single-game output last season.
Canisius led twice in the first quarter, 3-2 and 5-4, before Buffalo went on a 10-0 run in 71 seconds to take a 14-5 lead.
Buffalo then went on a 26-0 run to distance themselves from the Griffs. The Bulls closed out the final 2:53 of the first quarter on a 9-0 run before opening the first 4:50 of the next quarter on a 17-0 spurt.
Canisius held Buffalo without a field goal for a span of 4:27 in the second quarter, forcing 10 straight missed shot attempts.
The Griffs shot 47.1 percent from the field in the third quarter, highlighted by Haskell converting four of her five shots in just eight minutes of action in the quarter.
Four freshmen made their collegiate debuts for Canisius in Tuesday's contest.
Lydia Gattozzi led all first-year players in points (5) and minutes played (28). Cheyenne Stubbs (two points) and Rhay Porter (one point) were the other freshmen to score. Xanthippi Karatasiou recorded a defensive rebound in 18 minutes of action in her debut.
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh's Postgame Comments
"Buffalo is one of the best teams among the mid-major conferences in women's basketball. Tonight, unfortunately, I don't think we could battle with their size, speed or depth. We're a little banged up and a little shorter in terms of stature and athletic ability, but I thought there were moments where our young women strung some really good minutes, where they competed and they fought."
"[Erika Joseph] has been one of the most consistent leaders we've had by far. She was tremendous today. She has stayed composed through a lot already. It's no surprise that she performed as soundly as she did tonight. She's been such a consistent and reliable anchor for us."
Game Notes
• Tuesday's meeting was the 45th all-time meeting between the two Buffalo-based programs. Canisius' lead in the series was trimmed to 27-18, as the Bulls have now won nine straight over the Griffs.
• Canisius met Buffalo in a season-opening contest for a second consecutive season and the 10th time in program history.
• Joseph made a career-high five shots on the night, also converting three of her shots from beyond the arc, tying her career high set last year at Saint Peter's.
Up Next
The Griffs will continue its three-game road trip inside the Empire State on Saturday when it faces Binghamton. Tipoff between Canisius and the Bearcats is scheduled for noon. Game action from Dr. Bai Lee Court at Events Center can be viewed on ESPN3.
For complete coverage of Canisius women's basketball, please follow the Griffs on social media at @GriffsWBB on Instagram and Twitter.
