Bulls’ Explosive First Half Leads to an 85-76 Victory Over Western Michigan

Saturday, January 18

Kalamazoo, Mich.

1 p.m.

6-11,1-4MAC

Western Michigan

4-13,1-4MAC

Buffalo

Western Mich.

Photo by: Zach Monell/UBBulls.com

Bulls’ Explosive First Half Leads to an 85-76 Victory Over Western Michigan

1/18/2025 4:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser Photo Gallery

By: Zach Monell

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A 53-point first half, their most points in the opening half on the season, propelled the University at Buffalo men's basketball team (6-11, 1-4 MAC) to an 85-76 win over the Western Michigan Broncos (4-13, 1-4 MAC) on Saturday afternoon.

Omar Migues-Hibeljic had a career day at University Arena. He finished with 8 points and was 2-for-3 from three-point range. Tyson Dunn recorded his fifth 20-point performance of the season with 20 points, 8 assists, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Dunn made a career-high 6 three-pointers and is now over 100 assists on the season. Noah Batchelor had his second double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Ryan Sabol continued to score in double figures as he finished with 11 points and a season-high 5 assists. Frederiks Meinarts went 4-for-5 from the floor including 2 threes as he finished with 10 points.

The sharp shooting Bulls were 15-for 32 from three-point range. The 15 threes are tied for seventh in program history for most made threes in a game. The last time the Bulls made 15 threes was against Kent State on Feb. 21, 2020.

The Bulls nearly led wire-to-wire as they never trailed after going down 2-0 to start the game. Buffalo led for 39:14 as the Broncos had the lead for just 27-seconds. The Bulls' offense was on fire in the first half as they made 64.3% (18-of-28) from the floor and 62.5% (10-of-16) from three-point range. Buffalo's lead reached 23 points with 8:48 to go after a Dunn three-pointer. Up 42-19, the Broncos gained momentum as they outscored Buffalo, 20-11 headed into the half.

Leading 53-39 out of the locker room, the Bulls had a tough start to the second half. Western Michigan started the half on a 10-0 run to make it a 53-49 ballgame. The Bulls were 0-7 from the floor in that stretch. The Bulls flipped the switch as they padded their lead back to double digits. After a rough start to the half, the Bulls made nearly half their shots as they were 11-of-24 (45.8%) from the floor. Buffalo's defense held on for the victory.

The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 21^st as they host the Akron Zips (12-5, 5-0 MAC) on Blue Out Alumni Night. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

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