Saturday, January 6
Buffalo, N.Y.
2 p.m.
2-12,1-1MAC
77
vs
82
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Western Michigan
5-9,2-0MAC
1
2
F
Western Mich.
34
48
82
Buffalo
32
45
77
Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com
Bulls Fall to the Broncos in MAC Home Opener
1/6/2024 5:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team (2-12, 1-1 MAC) fell at home to the Western Michigan Broncos (5-9, 2-0 MAC) on Saturday afternoon, 82-77. It was a tight contest throughout as there were 12 lead changes and six ties, both marking season-highs for the Bulls.
Sy Chatman continued to bully his way to the basket as he scored 24 points. He has now scored 20 or more in five straight and in six of the last seven games. Isaiah Adams scored 15 points as freshmen Ryan Sabol (15) and Anquan Boldin Jr. (13) rounded out the top scorers for the Bulls. Sabol's 15 points tied his career-high in back-to-back games. Of the Bulls' 39 rebounds, Jonnivius Smith snatched a third of them, finishing with 13, a game high.
The Bulls led 9-5 at the 15:10 mark of the first half off a Sabol three-pointer assisted by James Graham. The Broncos tied the game at 9 just under a minute later. At the under-eight media timeout, the Bulls took a seven-point lead, 27-20. Unfortunately, an offensive lapse led the Broncos to take a 32-27 lead off a 12-0 run. Just before the halftime horn sounded, Sabol made a near half court buzzer beater to cut Western Michigan's lead to 34-32.
To start the second half, Adams tied the game at 34 off a layup. The Bulls led 48-46 with 14:56 left in regulation, but that would end up being their final lead of the game. The Broncos were dangerous from three-point range in the half as they made 6 of their 12 shots from beyond the arc. With time not on their side, the Bulls were down nine with just under 90-seconds to go. Adams and Sabol drilled three-pointers to cut the Broncos' lead to 78-75 with under a minute left. With the Alumni Arena fans loud, the Broncos silenced them with a jumper to extend their lead to 80-75. Smith dunked with nine-seconds left, but the Broncos put the game on ice with a pair of free throw makes.
"Give credit to Western Michigan," stated Head Coach George Halcovage III. "I thought we came out and played really well on the defensive end to start the game but didn't sustain through the end of the half. They went on a run towards the end of the half when we had a seven-point lead, just around the under eight-minute timeout, that gave them life. They got the lead and then we went in with a little momentum at the half. We were able to get a lead in the second half, but just couldn't put them away. I think our defensive intensity was pretty good, but we just didn't make the right plays offensively to execute in crucial moments, and that was the difference in the game."
The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday as they host the Miami (OH) RedHawks at 7 p.m.
Sy Chatman continued to bully his way to the basket as he scored 24 points. He has now scored 20 or more in five straight and in six of the last seven games. Isaiah Adams scored 15 points as freshmen Ryan Sabol (15) and Anquan Boldin Jr. (13) rounded out the top scorers for the Bulls. Sabol's 15 points tied his career-high in back-to-back games. Of the Bulls' 39 rebounds, Jonnivius Smith snatched a third of them, finishing with 13, a game high.
The Bulls led 9-5 at the 15:10 mark of the first half off a Sabol three-pointer assisted by James Graham. The Broncos tied the game at 9 just under a minute later. At the under-eight media timeout, the Bulls took a seven-point lead, 27-20. Unfortunately, an offensive lapse led the Broncos to take a 32-27 lead off a 12-0 run. Just before the halftime horn sounded, Sabol made a near half court buzzer beater to cut Western Michigan's lead to 34-32.
To start the second half, Adams tied the game at 34 off a layup. The Bulls led 48-46 with 14:56 left in regulation, but that would end up being their final lead of the game. The Broncos were dangerous from three-point range in the half as they made 6 of their 12 shots from beyond the arc. With time not on their side, the Bulls were down nine with just under 90-seconds to go. Adams and Sabol drilled three-pointers to cut the Broncos' lead to 78-75 with under a minute left. With the Alumni Arena fans loud, the Broncos silenced them with a jumper to extend their lead to 80-75. Smith dunked with nine-seconds left, but the Broncos put the game on ice with a pair of free throw makes.
"Give credit to Western Michigan," stated Head Coach George Halcovage III. "I thought we came out and played really well on the defensive end to start the game but didn't sustain through the end of the half. They went on a run towards the end of the half when we had a seven-point lead, just around the under eight-minute timeout, that gave them life. They got the lead and then we went in with a little momentum at the half. We were able to get a lead in the second half, but just couldn't put them away. I think our defensive intensity was pretty good, but we just didn't make the right plays offensively to execute in crucial moments, and that was the difference in the game."
The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday as they host the Miami (OH) RedHawks at 7 p.m.
Team Stats
WMU
UB
FG%
.485
.420
3FG%
.417
.318
FT%
.667
.800
RB
40
39
TO
12
10
STL
4
8
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
10
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
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