Johnson’s Late Free Throws Sink Missouri State, 75-74

Sunday, November 24

Charleston, SC

3:30 pm

4-2

Missouri State

3-4

Missouri State

Buffalo

Johnson’s Late Free Throws Sink Missouri State, 75-74

11/24/2019 6:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

CHARLESTON, SC – Senior Antwain Johnson hit a pair of free throws with 5.7 seconds remaining as the University at Buffalo men's basketball team came away with a 75-74 win over Missouri State in the fifth place game of the Charleston Classic. The Bulls survived a last second shot from the Bears to improve to 4-2 on the season.

Early on in the game, when most of the team was struggling to hit shots, senior Davonta Jordan put the team on his shoulders, scoring 14 of his career-high 25 points. A jumper from junior Jayvon Graves extended UB's lead in the opening half to 31-18 with 3:23 left, but the Bulls would go scoreless down the stretch as Missouri State cut the lead to just one at 31-30 going into the break.

A three-pointer from sophomore Jeenathan Williams got the Buffalo lead back up to seven at 43-36 and a fast-break layup from classmate Ronaldo Segu extended the advantage to nine at 56-47 with 9:23 left.

However, Missouri State would come all the way back as a three from Keandre Cook gave the Bears the lead. Over the final 85 seconds the two teams exchanged the lead four times. Missouri State went back ahead on a layup from Gaige Prim with 47 seconds remaining, but Johnson drove the lane in the final seconds and was fouled sending him to the line. He calmly knocked down both to put UB ahead 75-74. Tyrik Dixson's jumper as time expired was no good, clinching the win for the Bulls.

Jordan led all players with 25 points as he went 5-of-6 from three point range. The senior added six assists and a blocked shot. Williams also reached a new career high with 17 points, adding four rebounds, two blocks, and three steals.

Graves added 11 points and four rebounds and Josh Mballa finished with seven points and seven boards. Johnson had five points, all after the final media timeout. He added five rebounds and four assists.

Senior Gabe Grant had four points and four boards and sophomore LaQuill Hardnett finished with four points and two offensive rebounds.

The Bulls will return to Alumni Arena for the first time since the first week of the season when UB hosts William and Mary on Saturday Nov. 30 at 2pm.