Bulls Win Third Straight; Down Central Michigan, 86-67

Saturday, January 18

Mount Pleasant, MI

2 pm

12-6,3-2MAC

Central Michigan

10-8,3-2MAC

Buffalo

Central Mich.

Bulls Win Third Straight; Down Central Michigan, 86-67

1/18/2020 4:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MT. PLEASANT, MI – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team put forth one of its most complete efforts of the season on Saturday afternoon as the Bulls defeated Central Michigan, 86-67, winning their third straight Mid-American Conference game. The victory improves the Bulls to 12-6 overall and 3-2 in MAC play.

Offensively, five players scored in double figures and 11 players found the scoring column overall. However, it was the defensive side that led Buffalo to this victory. Buffalo held Central Michigan to just 34.2% shooting overall, including 29.7% in the first half. The Bulls also forced 16 turnovers, registering nine steals and blocking eight shots.

UB led for all but two minutes of action. Down 4-2, the Bulls used a quick 10-2 run and never trailed again as senior Antwain Johnson drained a triple on the fast break. Up 22-18, the Bulls scored seven straight, extending their lead to 29-18, their largest lead of the first half. UB went into the half up eight as redshirt freshman LaQuill Hardnett made a layup with just two seconds left, sending the Bulls into the break with a 38-30 lead.

Buffalo remained ahead by eight with 10:07 left in the second half when the Bulls took over and put the game in doubt. A three from sophomore Ronaldo Segu ignited a 12-0 run, putting the Bulls ahead 67-47, just three minutes later.

The Bulls led comfortably for the final seven minutes as a pair of technical foul free throws from freshman Savion Gallion gave Buffalo its largest lead of the game at 86-61. The Chippewas would go on to score the final six points.

"I thought today was maybe our most complete performance of the season and it began on the defensive end," said head coach Jim Whitesell. "We guarded extremely well and on the offensive end we shared the basketball and took open shots."

Sophomore Jeenathan Williams led the Bulls in scoring for the second straight game as he scored in double figures for the ninth straight contest with 18 points. He added five rebounds and a pair of assists.

Jayvon Graves had 14 points and four steals, while senior Davonta Jordan added 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Johnson and Segu each added 10 points in the win. Johnson just missed a double-double with a team-high nine rebounds, while Segu had a pair of assists and a pair of blocked shots. Sophomore Josh Mballa had four points and six boards.

Hardnett gave the Bulls good minutes as he finished with six points and five rebounds and junior David Nickelberry had four points and a pair of boards.

Gabe Grant finished with three points and three boards and Gallion and Brock Bertram each had two points. Bertram added four rebounds and a block.

UB hit the 50-rebound mark for the third time this season and the eight blocked shots are a season-high.

The Bulls return home on Tuesday night as they begin a two-game homestand by hosting Western Michigan. Tip off at Alumni Arena is set for 7pm.