Bulls Lose at Western Michigan

Saturday, February 24

Kalamazoo, Mich.

2:30 p.m.

4-23,2-12MAC

Western Michigan

10-17,7-7MAC

Buffalo

Western Mich.

Photo by: Zach Monell/UBBulls.com

2/24/2024 5:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team (4-23, 2-12 MAC) lost to the Western Michigan Broncos (10-17, 7-7 MAC) on Saturday afternoon, 91-72.

Sy Chatman recorded his 13^th game with 20+ points on the season. Since the 2010-11 season, he's tied for eighth with Zach Filzen and Justin Moss for the most 20-point games at UB. Jonnivius Smith had his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Isaiah Adams led the team with four assists. Adding double figures scoring was Ryan Sabol with 11 points.

Bulls started the game with 3 empty possessions as the Broncos took a 5-0 lead. Jonnivius Smith broke the scoring drought with a layup dished from Isaiah Adams. Western Michigan extended their lead to 15-4 with 15:30 left in the half. It was a half of runs as Buffalo went on a 9-0 run to cut into Western Michigan's 23-20 lead. In the Bulls' scoring stretch, they went 6-for-6 from the floor. On the defensive end, they held the Broncos to just 1-for-8 from the field. After just leading by three, the Broncos went on an 8-0 run to lead 31-20 at the 7:35 mark. The rest of the half was fairly even as the Broncos outscored the Bulls, 16-12. Western Michigan was deadly from three-point range. Buffalo was 2-of-8 (25.0%) from three in the first half as the Broncos had as makes as Buffalo attempts, 8-for-13 (61.5%). At the half, the Broncos led, 47-32.

The Bulls fought in the second half despite the 15-point halftime deficit. Western Michigan had their largest lead of the game at 68-45 with 13:55 left. Buffalo kept chipping away and with help from the defense, they were back in it. The Bulls defense held the Broncos scoreless from the floor for over 10 minutes. Western Michigan went 0-for-10 from the field. In that span, the Bulls were within 10 points after a Ryan Sabol three with 7:16 to go in a 74-64 ballgame. With momentum swinging in Buffalo's direction, the Broncos put an end to it as they took a 15-point lead with just under four minutes left. Down the stretch, Western Michigan made their free throws to close out the contest.

The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday at Kent State for their final road game of the season.