Second Half Charge Falls Just Short At Kent State, 84-81

Tuesday, January 19

Kent, OH

5:00 pm

5-5,3-3MAC

Kent State

7-3,4-2MAC

Buffalo

Kent St.

Second Half Charge Falls Just Short At Kent State, 84-81

1/19/2021 8:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KENT, OH – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team overcame a 22-point first half deficit on Tuesday night, but the Bulls were unable to hold on to a late lead as the host Kent State Golden Flashes came away with an 84-81 victory. The loss was UB's second straight as the Bulls even their record at 5-5 and 3-3 in MAC play.

It was a tale of two halves as the Bulls struggled over the first 20 minutes, shooting just 29.7% from the floor, while Kent State shot 50.0% as the Golden Flashes led by as many as 22 points and took a 47-26 lead into the break.

However, UB came out as a totally different team in the second half as the Bulls outscored Kent State 55-37 over the final 20 minutes, shooting 58.3% from the floor and 50% from three point range.

Trailing 49-28 with 18:35 left, the Bulls went on an 18-2 run in just over four minutes. The run was capped off on a pair of Jeenathan Williams buckets including a fast break dunk, which cut the Kent State advantage to 51-46 with 14:15 left.

The Golden Flashes continued to lead 59-53 when the Bulls scored eight straight, capped off on an alley-oop pass from senior Jayvon Graves to junior Josh Mballa, giving the Bulls their first lead of the night with 7:54 remaining.

Kent State went back ahead taking a 73-68 lead with 5:02 left, but the Bulls had another run in them, this time scoring 10 straight, as four different UB players scored. A three-pointer from Williams with 2:02 left gave the Bulls an 81-75 lead, but that would be Buffalo's last points of the night.

With the game tied at 81-81, Graves missed a three-point opportunity and Kent State was fouled hitting one of two shots to take the 82-81 lead. UB ran another play for Williams, but his three came up short and the Golden Flashes hit two free throws. Ronaldo Segu had one last look from three, but it was no good as Kent State held on for the win.

"You saw what we can do in the second half today when we play as a team and we make a commitment on the defensive end," said head coach Jim Whitesell. "I am disappointed we didn't do that in the first half, and we are going to have to find a way to do that for 40 minutes."

Four Buffalo players scored in double figures, led by Josh Mballa, who finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and a career high seven steals. That steal total is tied for the fourth most in school history and the most since last season when Davonta Jordan had seven against William & Mary.

Williams had 20 points and eight rebounds, while Segu finished with 19 points, two rebounds, and three assists.

Senior Brock Bertram finished with a career high 10 points, while adding eight rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Bertram also finished with two blocked shots.

Graves had five points, six rebounds, and six assists. He moved into 15^th place on UB's all-time scoring list tonight, surpassing Rodney Pierce.

Sophomore LaQuill Hardnett finished with two points and seven rebounds and Keishawn Brewton added three points.

The Bulls held a 41-37 advantage on the glass, including finishing with 18 offensive rebounds. The difference in the game came down to the free throw line. UB shots just 11-of-17 from the charity stripe, while the Golden Flashes went 22-of-24.

The Bulls will continue their stretch of three games in five days as they host Eastern Michigan on Thursday at 2pm.