Dominant First Half Leads Bulls To 81-64 Victory Over Mercyhurst

Thursday, December 10

Buffalo, NY

4:00 pm

2-2,0-1MAC

Mercyhurst

0-1,0-0PSAC

Mercyhurst

Buffalo

Dominant First Half Leads Bulls To 81-64 Victory Over Mercyhurst

12/10/2020 7:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team snapped its two-game losing streak on Thursday as the Bulls defeated Mercyhurst, 81-64, in their home opener at Alumni Arena. Nine Bulls found the scoring column as UB evened its record to 2-2.

Four players scored in doubles figures as the Bulls got a huge boost this afternoon with the addition of senior transfer Keishawn Brewton, who became eligible yesterday. Brewton notched 11 points in his Buffalo debut.

In addition, two UB players notched double-doubles, including Jayvon Graves, who finished just shy of the triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Junior Jeenathan Williams led all scorers with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers, who were seeing their first live action of the season, got out to a quick start opening the game on a 7-2 run. UB quickly went on a 9-0 run from their and never looked back. Brewton scored five straight points, including his first UB three-pointer, opening the lead to 29-17 with 8:33 left.

Leading 36-25, the Bulls went on an 11-2 run as another Bull seeing his first career action, David Skogman, hit the layup which extended the lead to 47-27. Graves put the Bulls into the break, up 50-29 on a late three-pointer. The 50 points were the most scored in a half by UB this season.

Buffalo took its largest lead of the game in the second half on a layup from Ronaldo Segu, putting the Bulls ahead 60-36 with 14:08 left and Mercyhurst never got any closer than within 16.
As a team, the Bulls had 24 assists, including 15 of those in the first half. The Bulls also held a big advantage on the glass, 43-29.

Segu also finished in double figures with 12 points and five assists. David Nickelberry and LaQuill Hardnett each finished with seven points, while Tra'von Fagan had eight points and four boards.

Skogman finished with four points and five rebounds in his UB debut and senior Jamon Bivens chipped in two points and a rebound.

"I thought we prepared really well, and our guys came out with a lot of energy tonight," said assistant coach Angres Thorpe. "It was great to get Keishawn on the floor and that really opened things up for our entire team. I want to give Mercyhurst a lot of credit, they are one of the top teams in Division II and I think this win will help us immensely as we move forward."

The Bulls go back to the road for their second Mid-American Conference game of the season on Tuesday evening as UB will face Miami (OH). Tip off against the RedHawks is set for 5:30 pm.