Bulls Host Niagara in Non-Conference Finale

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball program (1-10, 0-0 MAC) will host the Niagara Purple Eagles (3-8, 0-2 MAAC) in their non-conference finale on Friday at 7 p.m. This will mark the second game this season against a Big 4 rival as they Bulls played St. Bonaventure earlier this month. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ with Paul Peck and Matt Mattia on the call. Josh Whetzel and Bob Gaughan will be on the call over the airwaves on Buffalo 1520/Rochester 1280 and on the Varsity Network app.

Friday's game will be Kids Day at Alumni Arena, for ticket and game information, click here.

LAST TIME OUT
The Bulls are coming off a 72-66 road loss to the Richmond Spiders on Thursday, Dec. 21. Sy Chatman led the team with 21 points, doing so in back-to-back games. In his first game back since Nov. 21 against Louisiana, Isaiah Adams added 19 points and three rebounds on the night. James Graham made his Buffalo debut and finished with six rebounds, one assist, and the lone block for the Bulls. Jonnivius Smith recorded a team-high eight rebounds. Shawn Fulcher added a team-high three assists. The Bulls finished with their fewest turnovers on the season with just six.

For the first time since March 3, 2023, the Bulls had five players finish with five or more rebounds: Smith (8), Graham (6), McVeigh (6), Boldin Jr. (5) and Chatman (5).

ABOUT THE SERIES
This will be the 91^st all-time meeting between the Bulls and Purple Eagles. Dating back to the 1915-16 season, Niagara leads the series, 56-34. Buffalo took the victory in their last meeting on Dec. 21, 2019, 92-72. The Bulls have won eight of the last nine meetings, including the last four.

Buffalo hasn't hosted back-to-back meetings against Niagara since Nov. 19, 1999, and Nov. 17, 2000.

THE BULL-ETIN BOARD
In his Buffalo debut, Maryland & Missouri State transfer James Graham finished with one block and six rebounds against the Richmond Spiders.

Sy Chatman has scored in double figures in every game for the Bulls this season. His 16.7 ppg is good for sixth in the MAC. Chatman has also added 6.7 rebounds per game which is sixth in the MAC.

Jonnivius Smith leads the team with 8.7 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the MAC and 59th in the NCAA.

Only Shawn Fulcher and Sy Chatman have started in every game this season.

Shawn Fulcher and Anquan Boldin Jr. lead the team with 1.73 and 1.36 steals per game, respectively.

Sy Chatman and Jonnivius Smith are the only duo in the MAC to each have at least three double-doubles.

UP NEXT
The Bulls will begin MAC play on Tuesday, Jan. 2 as they will travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich. to play Central Michigan at 7 p.m.

For ticket information, click here.

Bulls Host Niagara in Non-Conference Finale

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Players Mentioned

Isaiah Adams

Anquan Boldin Jr.

Sy Chatman

Shawn Fulcher

James Graham

Jonnivius Smith

University at Buffalo Athletics