Bulls Survive Overtime to Secure 82-81 Victory Over Georgia Southern

Saturday, February 10

Statesboro, Ga.

3 p.m.

3-20,1-9MAC

Georgia Southern

5-20,5-7Sun Belt

OT 1

Buffalo

Ga. Southern

Photo by: Zach Monell/UBBulls.com

Bulls Survive Overtime to Secure 82-81 Victory Over Georgia Southern

2/10/2024 6:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

STATESBORO, Ga. – A 23-point and 12-rebound double-double performance by Sy Chatman surged the Bulls to an 82-81 victory over the Georgia Southern Eagles (5-20, 5-7 Sun Belt) on Saturday afternoon in the final portion of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. This was Chatman's fifth double-double on the season. The University at Buffalo men's basketball program (3-20, 1-9 MAC) earned their first victory in the state of Georgia since Dec. 28, 1971, when they beat Georgia State.

Chatman wasn't the only Bull to score 20 points, as Isaiah Adams led the team with 24 points and six assists. This was Adams' sixth game on the season where he finished with five or more assists. Zaakir Williamson was the only other Bull to finish in double figures scoring, finishing with 10 points.

The Bulls stormed out of the locker room right from the start. A Sy Chatman dunk set the tone to put Buffalo in front 2-0. Buffalo bullied their way into the paint as their first six points came off dunks. With the offense and defense clicking, the Bulls would find their largest lead of the game up 15 leading 28-13. The Bulls outshot the Eagles, 57.1% (20-for-35) to 30.0% (9-for-30) in the first half of action. Heading into the locker room, Buffalo led, 45-33.

In the second half, the Bulls did not capitalize on key possessions which led the Eagles to creep back into the contest. Buffalo was outscored 39-27 in the half despite both teams shooting within 1% of one another from the floor. Georgia Southern knocked down five three-pointers to Buffalo's one in the half which propelled them get within striking distance. The Bulls hadn't trailed all game until 40-seconds left in the second half when Georgia Southern took a 72-70 lead. Adams made a turnaround jumper to tie the game at 72 and eventually force overtime.

As expected, there was no room for error in overtime. With team trading baskets, the Eagles took a 77-74 lead with 1:52 to go. Ryan Sabol was fouled on a three and went to the line. After making the first two, he missed the third which resulted in a Jonnivius Smith rebound and an Adams' layup to give Buffalo the 78-77 lead. With the shot clock off at 30.0-seconds left, Smith made the potential game-winning layup with 15.0-seconds left. Georgia Southern went down the court and after a near turnover, called a timeout with 2.5-seconds remaining. Before the horn sounded, the Eagles shot a three-pointer that missed and gave Buffalo the 82-81 victory.

Buffalo closed the game with 50 points in the paint, their largest total since they scored 56 against Miami (OH) on Jan. 9.

Chatman became the first Bull since March 14, 2013, to play every minute as Tony Watson and Jarryn Skeete did so against Kent State in the MAC Tournament.

The Bulls are back in #MACtion on Tuesday as they head to DeKalb, Ill. to battle the Northern Illinois Huskies.