7-3
Wisconsin
12-1
Bulls Hold Halftime Lead; Hang Tough At #6 Wisconsin
12/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MADISON, WI – For the second time this season, the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York played one of the top teams in the nation, and for the second time the Bulls took a lead into the half before falling in the final 20 minutes. After facing top-ranked Kentucky a month and a half ago, the Bulls faced sixth-ranked Wisconsin on Sunday evening in front of a sold out crowd of 17,279 at the Kohl Center. The Bulls led the Badgers 27-26 at the half before falling, 68-56. The loss drops UB to 7-3 on the season, with two of those losses coming to nationally-ranked opponents.
The Bulls shot nearly 41% from the field in the opening half and led for 14 minutes in the first. The Badgers led 14-13 11 minutes into the game when the Bulls went on a 12-5 run to take their largest lead of the game at 25-19 with 4:55 left following a jumper from senior Xavier Ford. The Bulls continued to lead by six with 3:34 left, however Wisconsin scored the final five points of the half and cut the UB lead to one at the break.
A three-pointer from sophomore Shannon Evans gave the Bulls a 34-32 lead, but Wisconsin then went on a game-changing 14-0 run over the next four minutes to a take a 46-34 lead. The Badgers led by as many as 15 points, but the Bulls had no quit in them, trying to make one last run.
Wisconsin led 60-45 with 4:30 remaining, when UB went on an 11-4 run as a three-point play from Ford pulled the Bulls within eight at 64-56 with a minute remaining. Forced to foul, Wisconsin hit four straight free throws over the final minute for the 12 point win.
"We just played a really good basketball team, obviously with what they accomplished last year and having the core of that team back and just veteran players that have that experience and are championship caliber. It was a real test for us," said head coach Bobby Hurley. "I thought we played okay in the first half and didn't play our best offensively. We left some things on the table. Defensively in the second half, they got into a great rhythm, and (Sam) Dekker hurt us on a few occasions with the perimeter shots and (Frank) Kaminsky on both ends of the floor. A lot of people respect how good he is on offense, but he gave us problems at the rim converting with his length. He's a terrific player."
Junior Justin Moss finished with his fourth straight double-double as he had 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. It was the sixth straight game that Moss has recorded double figures in rebounds.
In his homecoming, freshman Lamonte Bearden finished with 13 points and three assists, while Evans added 12 points, hitting 3-of-5 from three-point range. Ford had another big night off the bench as he scored 11 points, his third straight game in double figures. Ford outscored the entire Wisconsin bench himself, 11-10.
Senior Will Regan added six points on a pair of three-pointers and four rebounds. Junior Rodell Wigginton picked up his first start of the season and added five rebounds.
Wisconsin improved to 12-1 with the victory. Kaminsky, an All-American candidate, led the Badgers with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Dekker added 13 points and six rebounds.
The Bulls will remain on the road as they face fellow SUNY rival Binghamton on Tuesday night at 7:00 pm.
