.png&width=22&height=22&type=webp)
University at Buffalo
16-8, 10-4MAC
Kent State
15-12, 6-8MAC
McCrea Becomes All-Time Scoring Leader As Bulls Pick Up Historic Win At Kent State
2/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Javon McCrea Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer - Radio Call
KENT, OH – Senior Javon McCrea scored 31 points and had 11 rebounds as he became UB's all-time leading scorer, giving the Bulls their first ever victory at Kent State, 78-69, Saturday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center. McCrea surpassed Rasaun Young as the all-time leading scorer and now has 1,920 points for his career. The victory improves Buffalo to 16-8 on the year and 10-4 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls have also swept the regular season series from Kent State for the first time.
The Bulls got off to a slow start in the contest as Kent State raced out to a 19-7 lead over the first 10 and a half minutes of action. However, McCrea threw down a big dunk, igniting the UB offense. The dunk began a 10-0 run for the Bulls, which was capped off on a three pointer from Joshua Freelove, pulling the Bulls within 19-17 with 7:19 left. Kent State regained a 24-17 lead, but the Bulls scored seven straight to tie the game up at 24-24. A pair of free throws from McCrea gave UB its first lead with 1:18 left in the half and the Bulls took a 33-32 lead into the half. McCrea had 16 at the break and was close to the record at that point.
McCrea scored the first three points of the half, which tied him for the record, but at the 17:28 mark, McCrea tipped in a Freelove miss, making him the new all-time leading scorer in Buffalo basketball history.
Kent State went on to regain the lead 47-45 with 13:33 left, but the Bulls went on a game-changing 16-2 run. The Bulls got a pair of threes from Will Regan and Shannon Evans early in the run and then sophomore Justin Moss took over, scoring six of his 12 points during the run and getting several big rebounds. UB took its largest lead of the game 69-56 with 4:27 left, but the Golden Flashes made one last run, pulling within five with 2:12 left. However McCrea answered with a layup and the Bulls hits free throws late to clinch the victory.
"This is a difficult place to play, but I am proud of the effort our guys put out there today," said head coach Bobby Hurley. "Javon was a difference maker and had a great day, but we also got great minutes from Will and Justin."
For McCrea, this was his second 30-point performance of the season as he tied his season high with 31 points, set in the second game of the season. He added 11 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the season. He is now 16th in MAC history in scoring. McCrea did a lot of his damage at the free throw line where he went 13-of-16.
Regan finished with 15 points as he went 4-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-4 from three point range as well as a perfect 4-for-4 from the three throw line. He added four rebounds and two blocks. Moss added 12 points and six rebounds in 12 minutes. He was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor and went 6-of-9 from the free throw line.
Despite picking up three first half fouls, senior Jarod Oldham still finished with eight assists, seven of those coming after the break. Sophomore Jarryn Skeete had a season-high five assists, while adding six rebounds. Evans added seven points and two assists off the bench.
The win for Buffalo was its first at Kent State in 17 attempts. The Bulls held distinct advantages in rebounding, 39-28, and in free throw makes, 28-8. The Bulls also had 16 assists on 22 made baskets, while the Golden Flashes had just nine assists.
Kent State, which dropped to 15-12 and 6-8 in the MAC had four players in double figures led by 16 points of the bench from Kris Brewer.
The Bulls will remain on the road for another big MAC East contest on Wednesday night at Ohio. Tip off is at 7pm.
