6-2
Drexel
2-7
Balanced Scoring Leads Bulls To 80-70 Win Over Drexel
12/16/2014 12:00:00β―AM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York men's basketball team improved to 3-0 all-time against the Drexel Dragons on Tuesday night as UB placed five players in double figures in an 80-70 victory at Alumni Arena. The game was UB's first home contest in 33 days and the Bulls led for nearly the entire evening as they improve to 6-2 on the season.
After allowing the first points of the evening to go the way of the visitor, the Bulls quickly responded with a 14-2 run and never trailed again. The Bulls had five different players score points during the run, including a three-pointer from Jarryn Skeete, one of four that he hit on the night.
The Bulls continued to lead by 10 with 11:16 left in the opening half, but couldn't put away the Dragons early as Drexel went on an 18-9 run to pull within one with 4:18 left. However, the Bulls never relinquished the lead as a layup from senior Will Regan gave the Bulls a 38-32 lead at the break.
Drexel stayed within striking distance early in the second half, but the Bulls started to take control riding the momentum from an ally-oop from Skeete, which was finished off by junior Rodell Wigginton, giving the Bulls a 53-47 lead with 11:46 left. Drexel pulled within 53-49 when the Bulls went on an 8-0 run, all thanks to Skeete, who scored all the points, including back-to-back three pointers, both off feeds from freshman Lamonte Bearden.
The Bulls would get their lead up to as many as 14 points, which they did twice over the final 3:34 of action before ending with the 80-70 victory. The 80 points are tied for the most scored by the Bulls this season.
"I was a little concerned coming off the layoff we had with it being exams week and us not practicing like we normally do, but with that being said I thought we did very well and we got off to a good start," said head coach Bobby Hurley. "I would have liked to see us play a little better as the first half ended, but I am happy with where our offense is going right now. 19 assists is the best we have done this year and we are really starting to move the basketball around."
Junior Justin Moss picked up his second straight double-double as he had 16 points and 10 rebounds on the night. Moss came into tonight's game leading the MAC in both scoring and rebounding. Skeete added 14 points, while Wigginton and senior Xavier Ford both scored 12 points off the bench. Ford, who set a season-high in points tonight, had missed the last two games due to injury, but came back and added six rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes.
Bearden added 11 points, six rebounds and a career-high eight assists, while sophomore Shannon Evans matched Bearden's total with a career-best eight assists as well. He also added seven points, five rebounds and two steals. Regan fell just shy of double figures with eight points.
The Bulls set season-highs tonight in field goals made (31) and assists (19), while tying their season high for offensive rebounds with 16..
Drexel (2-7) was led by 24 points from Damion Lee and 17 points from Rashann London. The Bulls forced Drexel into 15 turnovers and allowed the Dragons to shoot just 23.5% from behind the arc.
UB will remain home on Friday night as it hosts Big 4 rival Niagara at 7:00 pm at Alumni Arena. Prior to the start of the game Santa Claus will be in attendance for photos beginning at 6:00 pm.
