Bulls Defeat Daemen in Exhibition on Monday Night

Monday, October 23

Buffalo, N.Y.

7 p.m.

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Daemen (Exhibition)

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Daemen

Buffalo

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Defeat Daemen in Exhibition on Monday Night

10/23/2023 10:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team opened the 202-24 season against the Daemen Wildcats in an exhibition game Monday evening. Bulls came away with a 71-67 win in its exhibition opener.

UB led for 34:17 as Daemen led late in the game for a total of 4:33. Sy Chatman returned to the court after missing last season due to injury and posted a 15-point and three rebound performance. Isaiah Adams also finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high seven assists. Newcomer Shawn Fulcher added 14 points with Anquan Boldin Jr. rounding out the double-digit scorers with 10.

On the night, UB out shot Daemen from the floor, 44.8% (26-for-58) to 39.1% (27-for-69). From beyond the arc, the Bulls were 9-of-25 (36.0%) while the Wildcats were just 4-of-20 (20.0%). The Bulls fast-paced offense started where they left off last year as they finished with 18 fast break points. Last season, the Bulls were eighth in the nation averaging 15.12 per game.

To start the game, UB was stampeded out of the gate. The Bulls were 3-for-4 shooting in their first four possessions as all three makes were from three-point range. UB's 9-0 run would be their largest of the night. Up 9-0 over the Wildcats, Daemen got their first basket of the game over three and half minutes into the contest.

The Bulls' largest lead reached 13 points at the 14-minute mark of the first half. The Wildcats crept back as they scored in four of their next five possessions to make it a 15-10 game. Daemen made it a one-point game with just over six minutes to go in the half. With time dwindling in the opening half, Fulcher made pair of free throws to extend their lead to nine, but with 20 seconds left, the Wildcats made a layup. The Bulls led 33-26 at the half.

After starting 3-for-3 from three-point range, the Bulls went 1-for-7 the rest of the way in the half.

Boldin got the second half started just like the first with a three off an assist from Kanye Jones. The Bulls were never able to pull away as Daemen continued to keep pace. The Wildcats muscled their way in the paint, outscoring the Bulls 20-14 in the half. With six and half minutes to go in regulation, the Wildcats tied it up at 56 off a pair of free throws. Daemen took a 61-56 lead with just over five minutes left.

UB was able to tie the game at 65 off of Chatman's first of two free throws. After burying the second free throw, the Bulls held a 66-65 lead with 1:25 left. The Bulls closed the game out on a 10-2 run with Fulcher icing the game with a last second dunk.

"I knew a game like that could happen when you're going up against, I think, a legend in Coach [Mike] MacDonald," stated Head Coach George Halcovage III. "Those guys have had experience playing together and they returned so many other guys from last year's team. They really have been playing together for a long time and I give them as they just kept bringing it since they're so well coached. I'm really proud of how our guys responded at the end of the game. It was Sy Chatman's first game back in a couple years and he just made some big plays for us. I think it was really what we needed. The leadership showed by Isaiah Adams was great to see, especially in crucial moments. You know we play these games and, they [Daemen] are a Division II team with multiple guys at the Division I level. I've been in big environments, but it was great to get out here and get front of the fans here at Alumni and let them see our guys."

The regular season opener is set for Monday, Nov. 6 as the Bulls host Fairleigh Dickinson at 7:30 p.m. following the women's game at 5 p.m. against Canisius.

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