Bulls Chip Away for a Gritty 75-69 Win Over Central Michigan

Tuesday, January 28

Buffalo, N.Y.

7 p.m.

7-13,2-6MAC

Central Michigan

9-11,3-5MAC

Central Mich.

Buffalo

Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics

Bulls Chip Away for a Gritty 75-69 Win Over Central Michigan

1/28/2025 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A basket by Anquan Boldin Jr. with just 15-seconds remaining in regulation, propelled the Bulls (7-13, 2-6 MAC) to a 75-69 home win over the visiting Central Michigan Chippewas (9-11, 3-5 MAC) on Tuesday evening. Buffalo pulled off the win after only leading for just 4:41. The Bulls have now won seven straight home games against Central Michigan.

Ryan Sabol scored a game-high 24 points as he was 6-for-12 from deep in 38:27 of game action. Sabol recorded back-to-back games with at least 20 points for the first time in his career. Ben Michaels scored 12 points with 6 rebounds as Tyson Dunn added 12 points, 9 assists and 2 blocks. Off the bench, Noah Batchelor grabbed 7 boards. Bryson Wilson came up with three clutch steals in the win. Boldin Jr. played phenomenal on both ends of the court as he tallied 9 points, 6 rebounds and a steal.

The Chippewas outshot the Bulls, 49.1% (27-for-55) to 45.2% (28-for-62), but struggles from the free throw line were costly to the visitors. Central Michigan was 10-for-23 (43.5%) from the charity stripe as Buffalo finished 10-for-17 (58.8%).

Buffalo got out to a 5-0 lead before the Chippewas getting on the board with a three-pointer. After leading 7-6 just over 4-minutes into the game, the Bulls fell behind and trailed for the rest of the half. Central Michigan created a 13-point lead, the largest of the game, with just under 5-minutes to go in the first. However, the Bulls closed the half on a 12-3 run including a Kavon Bradford near halfcourt buzzer beater to make it a 34-30 Chippewa lead headed into the locker room.

Out of the half, the Bulls managed to tie the game three times, but didn't regain the lead until a Michaels dunk gave Buffalo a 60-59 lead with 7:06 to go. It was short lived as Central Michigan regained a 65-60 lead with just 5-minutes remaining in regulation. Buffalo held the Chippewas to empty possessions in the final critical minutes as Buffalo outscored the visitors, 15-4. Central Michigan missed 9-straight free throws in the final 7-minutes. Sabol hit a crucial three-pointer with 1:52 to go to tie the game at 67. Leading 71-69 with 15-seconds left, Boldin Jr. made a layup to push the lead to 4. After the basket, Wilson stole the inbounds pass and was fouled with 10-seconds left. He buried both free throws to ice the game and give Buffalo the home win.

On the night, the Bulls' defense forced 19 Chippewa turnovers. This was the eighth time this season that the Bulls forced 15 opponent turnovers leading to 11 Buffalo steals. On the season, the Bulls have had 6 games with 10 or more steals, surpassing last season's 5 games.

The Bulls are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 1^st as they host the Ball State Cardinals (9-11, 3-5 MAC). The game will tip-off at 5 p.m. on ESPN+ following the women's game at 2 p.m. against Northern Illinois.

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