Bulls Secure Road Win Behind Monster Performances from Jones, Hardnett, and Jack

Saturday, February 4

Kalamazoo, MI

2:30 p.m.

11-12,5-5MAC

Western Michigan

6-17,2-8MAC

Buffalo

Western Mich.

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Secure Road Win Behind Monster Performances from Jones, Hardnett, and Jack

2/4/2023 6:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team (11-12, 5-5 MAC) defeated the Western Michigan Broncos (6-17, 2-8 MAC) on Saturday afternoon, 85-76. In the victory, Curtis Jones recorded his second 30-point performance of the season. LaQuill Hardnett and Isaac Jack both recorded double-doubles. This marked Hardnett's sixth double-double of the season finishing with a career-high 27 points with 15 boards. Jack scored 10 and grabbed 10 rebounds, his second double-double of the season.

Entering the game, Western Michigan was the best rebounding team in the MAC, averaging 38.6 rpg, with Buffalo second (38.5 rpg). The Bulls dominated the glass outrebounding the Broncos, 41-28. 14 of the Bulls' rebounds were on the offensive end which led to 18 second chance points.

Buffalo was slow out of the pen as they started the game with five turnovers in their first seven possessions. Buffalo picked up momentum as they took a 32-24 lead with under five minutes left in the half. This led to the Bulls getting hot in the final 6:00 of the half as they outscored the Broncos, 14-3. At the half, the Bulls outrebounded the MAC's top rebounding team, 21-12. This included seven offensive boards leading to seven points. Western Michigan's Lamar Norman Jr. was held scoreless in the first half as he averages over 18 points per game. The Bulls led 39-27 at the half.

Buffalo stayed hot to start the second half as they extended their lead to 17, their largest lead of the day, less than three minutes into the half. For a good portion of the half, the teams were trading basket for basket, but Seth Hubbard knocked down a three to cut Buffalo's lead to nine with over nine minutes to go. Hardnett made a clutch three-pointer with 4:20 remaining to hush the Broncos' crowd. In the closing minutes, the Bulls went 8-for-10 from the free throw line to secure the win.

Jones was 5-for-11 from three-point range, tying his career-high in threes. He has now scored a three in 21 of the 23 games on the season including having at least three three-pointers in 13 games this season.

Making his first career start for the Bulls was Kidtrell Blocker. He finished with two assists on the day.

Armoni Foster had six assists in the contest. He has had five or more assists in six straight games that he's played.

The win extends the Bulls' win streak in the month of February to 13. With Colgate and Winthrop losing today, Buffalo now holds the longest active streak in Division I college basketball in February.

Buffalo is back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 7 as they host Eastern Michigan (6-17, 3-7 MAC) on Equality and Inclusion Night. Tip will be at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.