Akron Defeats Buffalo on the Road

Saturday, February 18

Akron, OH

7:00 pm

12-15,6-8MAC

Akron

19-8,11-3MAC

Buffalo

Akron

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

2/18/2023 9:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team (12-15, 6-8 MAC) lost to the Akron Zips (19-9, 11-3 MAC) on Friday evening, 86-66. Armoni Foster was the leading scorer for the Bulls with 12 points. Isaiah Adams and Jonnivius Smith had 11 points each with Curtis Jones adding 10. LaQuill Hardnett was the leading rebounder with seven on the night.

Buffalo took an early 3-2 lead off an Armoni Foster three-pointer, but that would be their only lead of the half. The Bulls kept it close until Akron went on an 8-0 run after the Bulls tied the game at 12. This would be the largest run of the game for either team. The Zips made one more shot from the floor over the over the Bulls, 15-14, but Akron capitalized at the charity stripe. The Zips went to the line 11 times in the first half and knocked down 10 of their attempts. The Bulls were 2-of-4 in the first half. Akron led 46-32 at the break.

Buffalo outshot Akron in the second half as they were an even 50.0% from the floor. Akron was 45.2% in the half. The Bulls and Zips were going basket for basket for the first ten minutes of the second half. Akron started to put the nail in the coffin in the final 10 minutes as their lead reached 26 with less than three minutes to go.

Xavier Castaneda of Akron could not be stopped. He scored 30 points, shooting 7-for-15 from the floor, making five three-pointers. He was also 11-for-12 from the free throw line.

Kidtrell Blocker had a game-high four assists on the night with C. Jones adding three of his own.

The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 21 as they host the Central Michigan Chippewas at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.