Bulls Wrap Up Perfect February With Ninth Straight Victory

Saturday, February 26

Buffalo, NY

2:00 pm

19-8,13-4MAC

Northern Illinois

8-20,5-13MAC

Northern Ill.

Buffalo

Bulls Wrap Up Perfect February With Ninth Straight Victory

2/26/2022 5:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

BUFFALO, NY – For the ninth time in the month of February and the sixth time in the last 12 days the University at Buffalo men's basketball team tasted victory as the Bulls closed out the month with a 70-60 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon in front of a season-high crowd of 4,990. The win, which was UB's ninth straight improved the Bulls to 19-8 on the season 13-4 in MAC play.

The Buffalo offense struggled early, missing the first 12 shots, but the defense never suffered as the Bulls only trailed 5-0 when the offense started to flow thanks to some strong bench play from Curtis Jones, Keishawn Brewton, Tra'von Fagan, and LaQuill Hardnett.

Following a bucket from senior Ronaldo Segu at 14:32 to snap the streak, the next eight points came from the bench, including back-to-back threes from Brewton and Fagan, giving the Bulls a 10-5 advantage. The Huskie got back within 10-9, but then the Bulls went on a 20-2 run, taking their largest lead of the game, following threes from Brewton and Jones. With that, the Bulls led 30-11 with 6:09 left in the first half. Jeenathan Williams had eight points during the run, including a four-point play and a nice finish off a behind the back pass from David Skogman.

The Huskies answered back, trimming the Buffalo lead down to six in the first half before UB took a seven-point lead into the half.

In the second half, the Bulls built their lead back up to double figures, but a 7-0 Huskies run cut it to a one-possession game at 41-38. NIU would go on to tie it up at 45-45, but the Bulls answered by scoring the next five, including an offensive putback from Josh Mballa and a long three from Segu, forcing the Huskies into a timeout.

The Huskies again cut it to one with 8:38 left, but Williams and Mballa combined for a quick 9-0 run as the Bulls built their lead back to 62-52 with 5:08 remaining. Threes from Williams and Maceo Jack closed the game out as the Bulls took an 11-point lead with just 65 seconds left.

"Another hard fought game and I give our bench a lot of credit because we really needed them today," said head coach Jim Whitesell. "I can't say enough about the character of this team, to win nine games in the month of February and then we asked a lot out of them over the last 12 days, and they came through. I'm just so grateful to be coaching this group."

Williams finished with 18 points, one of three UB players in double figures. Mballa added 14 points and 15 rebounds, including seven of those on the offensive end. Segu finished with 12 points.

The Buffalo bench finished with 17 points, 15 of those coming in the first half. Jones scored seven points, while Brewton had six points, three rebounds, and three assists. Fagan added three points and Hardnett had four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

Jack scored seven points and had five rebounds, while Skogman finished with two points, six boards, four assists, two steal, and two blocks.

Buffalo had 17 assists on 23 made baskets, while turning it over just eight times. UB also held a 48-38 advantage on the glass.

The Bulls remain home for one final time as they begin the final week of the regular season on Tuesday night, hosting Toledo at Alumni Arena. Tip off is at 7pm and it will be senior night for UB's senior class.