Graves’ Triple-Double Highlights 80-78 Win Over Akron

Tuesday, March 2

Buffalo, NY

2:00 pm

13-7,11-5MAC

Akron

14-7,12-6MAC

Akron

Buffalo

Graves’ Triple-Double Highlights 80-78 Win Over Akron

3/2/2021 6:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY – Senior Jayvon Graves recorded his first career triple double on Tuesday afternoon with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists as the Bulls won their fourth straight game with an 80-78 victory over Akron. The victory was Buffalo's seventh in its last eight games as UB improves to 13-7 on the year and 11-5 in league play.

The triple double was the third in school history, joining Shannon Evans (12/30/14) and CJ Massinburg (12/5/18).

Akron led for much for the first 10 minutes, but the Zips never held more than a five-point cushion. However, from there the Bulls went on a 17-2 run, a lead they would hold on to the rest of the game. The Bulls got back-to-back triples from senior David Nickelberry to help fuel the run.

A layup from Tra'von Fagan with 3:11 remaining gave the Bull their largest lead of the opening half at 36-21 and UB would go on to take a 39-25 lead into the break. Graves had seven points, five rebounds and five assists in the opening 20 minutes of action.

Buffalo opened the second half on an 8-0 run, taking its largest lead of the afternoon at 47-25 just over two minutes in. The Bulls continued to lead by 22 at 58-36 with 12:04 remaining when Akron made a furious comeback attempt. A quick 10-1 run from the Zips cut the Buffalo lead to 13. Buffalo would build the advantage back to 17 with 8:06 left, but another Akron run, would pull them within eight. The lone UB basket during that run was a Ronaldo Segu jumper, which was assisted by Graves, his 10^th of the game.

The Bulls again led by double figures at 72-59 with 4:34 left, but an 8-1 Akron run pulled it within six. Graves would get his 10^th rebound on a held ball situation as he dove to the floor on an offensive board, keeping the Buffalo possession alive.

Akron's Loren Cristian Jackson would keep the Zips alive, hitting three triples late, but four free throws from Segu, plus an old-fashioned three-point play from Josh Mballa clinched the win for UB.

"That was a tough win and with Loren Cristian Jackson and Akron's three-point shooting the game is never done," said head coach Jim Whitesell. "A couple things didn't go our way, but we will take it. We've seven of our last and that is the most important thing. We are some playing some really good basketball and I like the stretch of defense we had there the last 10 minutes of the first half and I like the way we opened the second half."

Buffalo had four players in double figures led by 15 points from Mballa, who added nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Graves had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and a game-high 11 assists, while adding three steals and a block.

Segu finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and three steals, going 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Junior Jeenathan Williams had 13 points and six boards.

LaQuill Hardnett had six points and five boards, but his streak of consecutive field goals made was halted at 18 straight.

Fagan had seven points and three boards, while Nickelberry and Brock Bertram each had six points. Nickelberry added five rebounds, while Bertram had four and a block.

The Bulls outrebounded Akron, 50-41 as Buffalo had 17 offensive boards. UB finished with 20 assists on 28 made baskets and the Bulls also had 10 steals on 11 Akron turnovers.

Buffalo has one regular season contest remaining on Friday night when the Bulls welcome Kent State. Tip off is at 6pm and will air nationally on ESPNU.