University at Buffalo
11-9 (4-5MAC)
Central Michigan
11-9 (6-2MAC)
Bulls Edged by Chippewas, 88-82
2/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MT. PLEASANT, MI - In a cross divisional matchup riddled by 50
combined personal fouls, the University at Buffalo men's
basketball team fell to Central Michigan at the Rose Center on
Thursday evening, 88-82.
Rodney Pierce The Bulls (11-9, 4-5 MAC) came out in the first half,
playing an aggressive man-to-man defense, which kept the Chippewas
(11-9, 6-2 MAC) in check to start the contest. In the first 12
minutes, the Bulls built a seven-point lead off a combination of
costly turnovers and fouls by Central Michigan despite only
shooting 35.7 percent from the floor.
The tide quickly changed in favor of the Chippewas following the
game's third media timeout at 7:51. Facing a seven-point
deficit with just under eight minutes remaining, the
Chippewas' Robbie Harman assisted on an Antonio Weary dunk to
start Central Michigan's comeback. Harman followed up with a
three-point bucket to pull the Chippewas within two, which brought
the home crowd to its feet.
The Chippewas managed to score their next 11 points from the free
throw line. Off a trio of successful free throws, Central Michigan
captured a one-point lead, 27-26. Senior Rodney Pierce managed to
restore the Bulls lead with 5:11 remaining from the free throw line
with a pair of successful shots. The Chippewas would return to the
free throw line to connect on eight free throws to remain in the
lead for the time remaining in the first half. Heading into the
break, Central Michigan led 41-37.
The Chippewas took the momentum of their first-half lead right
throw the second half, not allowing the Bulls to recapture the
lead. Early in the second half, Buffalo pulled within one off a
layup by sophomore Titus Robinson but Harman hit a three to give
the Chippewas extra cushion.
Despite the Bulls' effort to chisel away at Central
Michigan's lead throughout the second half, the Chippewas
countered Buffalo's offensive attack with one of their
own.
Scoring 22 points, Pierce led the Bulls' scoring attack for
the 13th time this season. Pierce also added a career-high seven
assists to record his 205th career assist. Senior Calvin Betts
added 15 points to the Bulls' total, including a team-high
eight rebounds. Robinson and Pierce went a perfect 4-for-4 from the
free throw line. In the closing minute of the contest, Betts and
Pierce would each foul out.
Jordan Bitzer led the Chippewas with 22 points and eight rebounds
for the Chippewas. Bitzer managed to go 6-for-6 from the free throw
line. Harman scored 19 points, including four treys.
Combining for 50 personal fouls, each team ran into foul troubles
in the contest. Buffalo recorded a season-high 27 personal fouls.
Central Michigan committed 23 personal fouls.
The Bulls remain on the road as they travel to conference opponent
Toledo on Saturday, February 6 with the tipoff at 7:00 pm.
