Balanced Effort Leads Buffalo To 88-64 Win Over Miami

Saturday, February 6

Buffalo, NY

2:00 pm

8-6,6-4MAC

Miami (OH)

8-7,5-5MAC

Miami (OH)

Buffalo

Balanced Effort Leads Buffalo To 88-64 Win Over Miami

2/6/2021 5:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team placed four in double figures, including career high games from David Skogman and Tra'von Fagan, as the Bulls cruised to an 88-64 win over Miami (OH) on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena. The win is Buffalo's second straight and improves UB to 8-6 on the year and 6-4 in the MAC.

The Bulls led nearly through out as they had the lead for all but 37 seconds. Trailing 3-2 very early, Buffalo scored nine straight points as a layup from LaQuill Hardnett put Buffalo ahead, 11-3. Leading 18-11, the Bulls went on another run, this time scoring 11 straight, including one of three triples from Skogman. That run gave the Bulls a 29-11 lead with 10:28 left.

Another Skogman three gave Buffalo its largest lead of the first half at 36-15 with 5:12 remaining, the first of back-to-back threes from the redshirt freshman. Miami would go on to cut the UB lead to 14 late, but the Bulls ended the half in style as Fagan beat the buzzer with a 35-footer to give the Bulls the 47-30 lead into the break.

Today's @TMobile Call of the Game should be no surprise... How about this 35 foot buzzer beater from Tra'von Fagan before the half#SCTop10 | #UBhornsUP pic.twitter.com/tbhOHZ1Meo
— UB Men's Basketball (@UBmenshoops) February 6, 2021

The RedHawks opened the second half on a little bit of a run as they cut the UB lead down to 10 with 14:22 remaining, but the Bulls answered scoring seven straight, which began on an offensive put back from Skogman and included a three-point play from junior Josh Mballa, as UB regained a 60-43 lead.

Another bucket from Skogman gave the Bulls a 73-47 lead and a three-pointer in the corner from senior David Nickelberry put Buffalo ahead 76-49. A three on the fast break from senior Keishawn Brewton gave the Bulls their largest lead of the game at 88-60 with just 2:11 remaining and the Bulls came away with the 24-point win.

"I loved our energy from the opening tip both on the floor and from the bench," said head coach Jim Whitesell. "I am so proud of everyone, but especially David [Skogman] and Tra'von [Fagan]. Those two have worked extremely hard and it was great to see that hard work pay off today."

Skogman finished with his first career double-double as he had career bests of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Jayvon Graves tied team-high honors as he also finished with 16 points, while adding four boards and seven assists.

Mballa finished with 15 points, while Fagan had a career-high 14 points, adding three steals.

Junior Ronaldo Segu finished with a career high nine assists and no turnovers, as he chipped in five points and two rebounds. Fellow junior Jeenathan Williams added nine points, five boards, three assists, and two steals.

Brewton had seven points, while Nickelberry finished with three. Sophomore Savion Gallion recorded a steal and an assist, while Hardnett started his second straight game and finished with three points and five boards.

Sophomore Lucas Saleh made his third appearance of the year logging 2:27 of action.

The Bulls held a 42-31 advantage on the glass and the UB defense forced a Miami team that was leading the MAC in fewest turnovers per game into 14 turnovers, which they turned into 23 points.

Buffalo had just eight turnovers in the game, while dishing out 23 assists. The Bulls also held big leads in points in the paint at 46-30, fast-break points at 30-4 and bench points, 40-26.

UB will remain home on Tuesday afternoon when the Bulls host Western Michigan at Alumni Arena. Tip off is set for 2pm.