Daemen
Newcomers Shine In Exhibition Win Over Daemen
11/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York men's basketball team shot over 64% from the floor in the second half tonight as the Bulls defeated Daemen, 87-68, in the exhibition opener and the first game under head coach Nate Oats. The Bulls put three players in double figures, led by 25 points from freshman CJ Massinburg.
Daemen shot the ball well early on and held a 6-2 lead just two minutes into the contest, but that would be the Wildcats' largest lead of the night. The Bulls went on a 10-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 12-8 lead, capped off on a fast-break layup from sophomore Lamonte Bearden. The Bulls extended their lead to 26-17 with 8:42 left in the first half on a layup from Rodell Wigginton and a free throw by sophomore Mory Diane gave the Bulls their largest lead of the opening half at 32-22. The Wildcats cut the lead down to six at 37-31, but a three pointer by junior Willie Conner with under 10 seconds left in the half put the Bulls ahead at the break, 40-31.
The Bulls came out in the second half and outscored Daemen, 47-37. A three by Massinburg gave the Bulls a 53-41 lead with 14:15 left and the Bulls continued to lead by 12 with 10:33 left when Massinburg ignited a 14-2 run, scoring the first 11 points himself before the run was capped off by a three pointer from freshman Nick Perkins. The 24-point lead was UB's largest of the night.
"We have a lot of work to do, but I was pleased with the final outcome," said Oats. "CJ Massinburg played really well tonight for a freshman and like I told the team in the locker room, he deserved to have a good game because he is a kid that came in here with a real business-like approach to everything, whether it be practice or just shooting on his own."
Massinburg had 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while going 5-of-6 from behind the arc. He added five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Conner added 18 points in his first game for the Bulls as he went 8-of-12 from the floor. Freshman Nick Perkins also finished in double figures with 12 points and eight rebounds, including a pair of three pointers.
Senior Raheem Johnson added nine points and three rebounds off the bench, while Wigginton added six points and six rebounds. Redshirt freshman Ikenna Smart had four points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Bearden finished with four points, four rebounds and a game-high five assists. Diane added six points and three assists off the bench.
12 different players got into the game for the Bulls tonight. Junior Blake Hamilton picked up the start and had three rebounds, while walk-ons Christian Pino, Zac DiSalvo, and Tyler Moffe all saw action. Pino had two points and a pair of steals.
The Bulls will open the regular season next Friday when they host Pitt-Bradford. It will be another 9pm tip-off at Alumni Arena.
