Caldwell, Jordan Combine for 47 in Season Opening Win

BUFFALO, NY - In their first game back after year-long layoffs, Mary Caldwell and Armoni Jordan both made their presence know in a big way on Sunday afternoon, combining to score 47 to help push the Bryant & Stratton Buffalo Bobcats past the Point Park Pioneers 92-83 in their season opener.

"It felt great to have our ladies out there competing again," Bryant & Stratton Buffalo Head Coach Brittnee Perry said.  "We did what was needed today to beat a good team.  We continue to take this season one day at a time and we're just grateful to be back out here.  We have a lot of work to do, but that work is always easier after a win."

Caldwell scored a team-high 26 points off the bench and went 4-14 from beyond the arc.  In her first game since March of 2019 after having to sit out last season due to transfer rules, Caldwell made every one of her 26 minutes count.  Jordan - who also had to sit out last season due to transfer rules - scored 21 points and had a team-high 13 rebounds.  She corralled eight of those boards on the offensive end.

THE FIRST HALF

• The two teams traded baskets and leads to open the game with neither side leading by more than three until the 0:01 mark of the first quarter when Caldwell hit a long-range triple to give the Bobcats a 21-16 edge after 10 minutes.
• The Pioneers opened the third quarter with a three of their own to cut the deficit to two.  They eventually tied the game moments later until junior Charm Stone his two free throws to give the Bobcats back the lead.
• Point Park was able to re-gain the lead at the 4:01 mark and held a one-point lead in the final moments of the half before Caldwell once again buried a deep three to give Buffalo the 43-41 halftime edge.

THE SECOND HALF

• The Bobcats opened the second half with a 4-0 run after buckets by junior Rachel Bruneel and Jordan.  
• After a three-point play from the Pioneers with 5:21 left in the third quarter, the Bobcats used an 8-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 62-52.  The run featured two free throws from junior Tamia Tart, a layup from Jordan and four points from reining Female Athlete of the Year Alissa Johnson.
• The Bobcats led 69-60 after three quarters and the closest the Pioneers would get the remainder of the way is four.

PAW PRINTS

• The Bobcats had the edge on the boards 53-46.
• B&SC Buffalo had 27 offensive rebounds.
• The Bobcats committed just 12 turnovers and forced 20 which led to 26 points.
• Janae Brannon had a game-high 14 assists for the Bobcats and also added four points, eight rebounds and three steals.
• Stone added 15 points and 9 rebounds (six offensive).
• Taylor Rinn led all scorers for Point Park with 28 points and 12 rebounds.

THE SERIES
The Bobcats now lead the all-time series between the two schools 2-1 after they split a pair of games last year.  This is the first win by the home team in the series.

UP NEXT
The Bobcats will remain at home for a Wednesday night matchup against Bryant & Stratton Rochester at 6 p.m.  Rochester won both games last season en route to a 22-5 record and third seed in the USCAA National Tournament.  Wednesday's game will once again be played at The Park School.  No spectators will be allowed but the game will be live streamed.  You can watch by clicking HERE.

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