5-4
Binghamton
2-9
Dominant Second Half Leads Bulls To Blowout Victory
12/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - A 67-34 advantage on the scoreboard over the final 25 minutes of action helped lead the University at Buffalo men's basketball team to an 87-57 victory over Binghamton on Monday afternoon at Alumni Arena. The Bulls had season highs in shooting and assists, while committing a season-low seven turnovers.
The Bulls trailed late in the opening half, 23-20, but went on a 20-4 run over the final 5:44 to take a 40-27 lead into the half. It was a tough start for UB, who hit just two of its first 11 shots after a short turnaround from a road contest on Saturday. However, the Bulls ended up hitting 10 of their final 16 shots of the half.
UB quickly added to its lead early in the second half, scoring the first six points en route to a 16-3 run over the first four minutes and 15 seconds. Senior Javon McCrea was a big part of the run as he contributed nine points. The Bulls continued to lead by at least 20 for the remainder of the half.
UB also got the long ball working in the second half, hitting six three pointers, led by senior Josh Freelove, who had three of his five triples in the second half. Freshman Shannon Evans also knocked down a pair on back-to-back possessions.
Binghamton went on to cut the UB lead to 74-52 with 3:50 left, but UB went on one last 12-3 run as a three pointer from Deyshonee Much gave the Bulls their largest lead of the game at 86-55. The Bulls went on to win 87-57, scoring their biggest win over a Division I opponent since defeating Canisius, 94-59 in 2011.
"I thought our guys responded really well to the quick turnaround that we had following our game on Saturday," said head coach Bobby Hurley. "The statistic that really stands out to me is 21 assists on 28 made baskets and just seven turnovers, so we corrected a problem that we had in Brooklyn in terms of turning over the basketball, and today we made good decisions and were unselfish with the basketball."
McCrea recorded his second straight double-double and his fifth of the season with 25 points and 14 rebounds. McCrea has now moved over 1,600 points for his career. The senior also added a season-high four assists, three blocks and three steals.
Freelove finished with a career-best 19 points, including a 5-for-9 performance from three-point range. Junior Will Regan also had a season-high in points with 18, while adding seven rebounds, six of those on the offensive end.
Junior Xavier Ford made his first start of the season and finished with nine points, three rebounds, an assists, a block and two steals. Senior point guard Jarod Oldham scored just two points, but dished out a season-high nine assists, while not turning the ball over at all. Evans added six points off the bench, while Much had five.
The 87 points scored by the Bulls are a season high and it is the fifth time in nine games that the Bulls have scored over 80 points in a game. UB also finished with season-highs in three pointers (9) and assists (21) and a season-low in turnovers (7), including just twice in the second half. The Bulls also finished 22-30 from the free throw line, the fifth time this season they have converted at least 20 free throws.
Binghamton (2-9) had three players in double figures led by 19 points from Jordan Reed. The Bulls forced 16 Bearcat turnovers and just a 3-for-12 performance from behind the arc.
The Bulls will have a few days off for the holiday break before returning to action next Sunday at Drexel. Tip off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
