One more win and they would be in the title game of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. But getting that win would not be easy for former Embry-Riddle women’s basketball coach Becky Burke. Her University of Buffalo squad fought tooth and nail with Cleveland State all day long in the Fab Four of the WNIT Wednesday.
The Lady Vikings had a slim 12-10 lead at the end of the first half. The Lady Bulls were down 26-19 with less than four minutes to go in the first half, but chipped away at the lead and went into the locker room up 34-32. The second half saw numerous ties and lead changes. Up by one with three minutes to go, Lani Cornfield got six points and two steals down the stretch to help secure the 74-69 win for Buffalo.
Cornfield finished with 15 points and five steals, while Chellia Watson compiled 21 points. The Lady Bulls take on Troy in the WNIT championship game Saturday.
Burke, who was the first coach for the Embry-Riddle women, is in her third season as Buffalo’s bench boss.