Bulls Can’t Slow Down Zips in MAC Quarterfinal

Thursday, March 9

Cleveland, OH / Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

Approximately 6:30 p.m.

15-17,9-9MAC

101

(3) Akron

22-10,13-5MAC

Buffalo

Akron

101

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Can’t Slow Down Zips in MAC Quarterfinal

3/9/2023 10:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team (15-17, 9-9 MAC) fell to the Akron Zips (22-10, 13-5 MAC) in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday evening, 101-77. Zid Powell led the Bulls with 25 points adding eight rebounds, one assist, and two steals. LaQuill Hardnett recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Curtis Jones (12) and Armoni Foster (11) also finished in double figures scoring.

Despite getting outshot from three-point range in the first two meeting against the Zips, the Bulls held their own defensively from deep. Akron was 4-of-11 (36.4%) from beyond the arc in the first half. Buffalo got in foul trouble fast as they committed five fouls in just over three minutes into the contest. The Zips headed to the line 12 times as they knocked down 11 of their attempts. The Bulls made all three of their first half attempts. At the half, Akron led 45-31.

The Bulls were able to cut Akron's lead to 15 in the second half, but that was as close as it would get. Buffalo was 13-of-35 (37.1%) in the final 20 minutes compared to Akron making 21 of their 30 shots (70%). The Zips got hot from three-point range as they were 9-of-14 (64.3%) in the half.

Akron finished the night shooting 59% from the floor as the Bulls were 39.4%.

The Bulls finished with a season-low five assists as their assist-to-turnover ratio was 5 to 12.

Jonnivius Smith secured six rebounds on the night, his 14^th game with five or more boards this season. C. Jones led the team with three steals.

Foster finishes his collegiate career with 1,804 points, 510 assists, 478 rebounds, and 184 steals in 133 games.