Bulls Fall at Northern Illinois, 72-68

Tuesday, February 13

DeKalb, Ill.

8 p.m. ET

3-21,1-10MAC

Northern Illinois

9-15,3-8MAC

Buffalo

NIU

Photo by: Zach Monell/UBBulls.com

Bulls Fall at Northern Illinois, 72-68

2/13/2024 10:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

DEKALB, Ill. – Missed free throws were costly for the Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team (3-21, 1-10 MAC) against the Northern Illinois Huskies (9-15, 3-8 MAC) on Tuesday evening. The Huskies defended their home court by taking the contest, 72-68. In the loss, the Bulls were 9-for-22 (40.9%) from the free throw line.

Jonnivius Smith recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Sy Chatman led Buffalo with 18 points as Shawn Fulcher chipped in 13 points.

Buffalo and Northern Illinois traded blows right from the beginning. In total, there were 14 lead changes and six ties. About halfway through the first half, an Adams' three tied the game at 15. Smith gave the Bulls their first lead with eight minutes to go in the half, leading 20-19. With just three minutes left in the opening half, the Huskies led 31-28. The Bulls closed the half on a 6-0 run as they went to the locker room leading 34-31. Smith finished the half with eight points, five rebounds and four assists.

Both squads shot well from the floor in the second half as they each made at least 50.0% of their shots. However, the Bulls and Huskies struggled from the charity stripe. Buffalo went 6-for-15 (40.0%) as the Huskies were 13-for-24 (54.2%) from the free throw line in the half. The misses caused a tight second half as neither team pulled away. Northern Illinois led 71-65 with just over 19-second left. Ryan Sabol made a three to make it a 71-68 game. On the ensuing possession, the Huskies went to the line where they missed the first and made the second free throw attempt. Trailing 72-68, Chatman heaved the ball nearly the length of the floor to give Smith a look for three. The shot rimmed out and he wasn't fouled for the potential four-point play.

In total, both teams finished a combined 25-for-51 (49.0%) from the free throw line.

Lloyd McVeigh finished with a career-high two made threes on the night.

The Bulls are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. as they host the Akron Zips. At halftime, UB will honor legend Turner Battle by inducting him into the Alumni Arena Wall of Fame.