Bulls Fall on the Road to Akron

Friday, January 12

Akron, Ohio

7 p.m.

2-14,1-3MAC

Akron

12-4,4-0MAC

Buffalo

Akron

Photo by: Zach Monell/UBBulls.com

1/12/2024 10:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

AKRON, Ohio – After a tight first half, the University at Buffalo men's basketball team (2-14, 1-3 MAC) lost to the Akron Zips (12-4, 4-0 MAC) on Friday evening, 76-59. Sy Chatman recorded his seventh 20-point performance of the season, finishing with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds. Isaiah Adams closed the game with 11 points and a game-high six assists. Jonnivius Smith led all players with two blocks and added seven rebounds.

The Bulls zipped out to a 6-2 lead after a pair of three-pointers courtesy of Chatman and Smith. Akron's largest lead in the half was five, and the Bulls were able to overcome it twice. Buffalo held a late first half lead, 30-27. However, a 7-0 Akron run lifted them to lead 34-30 at the half. The Bulls were 12-for-30 (40.0%) from the floor to Akron's 15-for-34 (44.1%).

After a slow offensive start to the second half for the Bulls, Akron started the half with a 5-0 run and forcing a Buffalo timeout. The Bulls got their first bucket of the second half at the 16:12 mark with a Chatman dunk. Buffalo was able to cut the Zips' lead down to six with 11:45 left, but an Akron three made it a 50-41 game. The Bulls struggled to keep pace with the Zips as Buffalo was out shot 51.6% to 33.3% in the half.

The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at Toledo. Tip is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.