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University at Buffalo
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Texas A&M
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Late Scoring Drought Dooms Bulls At Texas A&M
11/8/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE STATION, TX – For 30 minutes on Friday night, the University at Buffalo men's basketball team hung with its SEC foe, but the Bulls were badly outscored over the final 10 minutes, 25-6 as they fell to Texas A&M, 82-58. Friday night's game was the first for head coach Bobby Hurley.
The Bulls got out to a quick start as they built an eight-point first half lead off strong defense and easy looks at the basket. A three-pointer from newcomer Joshua Freelove and a jumper from senior Javon McCrea put the Bulls ahead 25-17 with 6:34 remaining in the opening half. However, from there the Aggies went on a 22-6 run to take a 39-31 lead into the half.
Buffalo fought its way back as it opened the second half on an 8-1 run, capped off on a three-pointer from junior Will Regan, but the Aggies again found a six-point lead at, 48-42. But the Bulls answered one more time, scoring seven straight points, the final three capped off on a fast-break steal and thunderous dunk from Freelove, who was fouled in the process. The run gave the Bulls a 49-48 lead, but it would be their final lead of the night. Texas A&M scored five straight points to regain the lead. Sophomore newcomer Justin Moss than scored two points on a dunk with 9:48, which proved to be UB's final field goal of the night. The Bulls scored four final points from the free throw line.
"I thought we did a pretty good job defensively in the first half," said Hurley. "We just had some breakdowns late in the half and there is big difference heading into the locker room down two or up two and then down eight and we just didn't play well over the final three minutes. Offensively, our guys are still learning the new system and our field goal percentage wasn't nearly where we would have liked it to be tonight."
McCrea led the way with 14 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in his season debut. Freelove added 11 points, while sophomore Jarryn Skeete had nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from behind the arc. Senior Jarod Oldham and Moss each added seven points, while junior Xavier Ford added six. McCrea and Oldham were both limited in their minutes due to foul trouble.
All 11 players saw action in the game, including freshman Shannon Evans, who played 22 minutes, running the point while Oldham was out of the game. Despite not scoring, Evans added three boards and three assists. Fellow freshman Deyshonee Much had a point and three rebounds.
As a team, the Bulls had 14 turnovers, including just five in the second half. However, the Aggies were able to turn those turnovers into 20 points.
Texas A&M finished with a balanced scoring effort as five players scored in double figures, including Jordan Green and Kourtney Roberson, who each had 15 points.
The Bulls will remain on the road Wednesday night when they head north up the I-190 for a matchup against Niagara. Tip off is set for 7:00 pm.
