Friday, January 23
Buffalo, N.Y.
7 p.m.
University at Buffalo
13-7,3-5MAC
67
vs
68
Massachusetts
13-8,4-5MAC
1
2
F
Massachusetts
38
30
68
Buffalo
29
38
67
Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
Bulls Overcome 20-Point Deficit, but Fall to UMass, 68-67
1/23/2026 11:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – It was another nailbiter in Alumni Arena on Friday evening as the University at Buffalo men's basketball program (13-7, 3-5 MAC) hosted the UMass Minutemen (13-8, 4-5 MAC) for their first ever conference meeting. The Bulls trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half but managed to take a 61-54 lead. The Minutemen closed the game, outscoring the Bulls 14-7 to take the road victory, 68-67.
Ryan Sabol led the Bulls in scoring for the second consecutive game as buried 27 points. He drained five three-pointers for the 15th time in his career. Sabol has now scored at least 20 points in three straight games for the first time in his career. He also added five assists. Over the last three games, the junior guard is averaging 24.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.3 spg to go with a field goal percentage of .509. He's also put away 14 three-pointers.
Noah Batchelor did not miss a shot on the night as he went 7-for-7 from the floor, including a pair of three pointers. He tied his career-high 16 points for the third time at Buffalo. Daniel Freitag returned to action where he scored 18 points with a game-high seven assists.
UMass made their presence known to start the contest. They bullied their way in the paint as seven of their first eight baskets came in the paint. The Minutemen extended their lead to 22-11 after a three-pointer with 12:06 to go. UMass used an 18-2 run to take a commanding 33-13 lead with 7:32 left in the half. Buffalo turned defense into offense as they managed to get a pair of turnovers while forcing the Minutemen to go 2-for-10 from the field in the final seven minutes. The Bulls cut their deficit to nine points at the half courtesy of a 16-5 run including a Sabol three with 11 seconds to go before the half. As both teams headed to the locker room, UMass led, 38-29.
UMass increased their lead back to double digits three times in the second half, but the Bulls kept battling. Trailing 54-47 with 9:40 remaining, Buffalo went on a 14-0 run to take a 61-54 lead. In the run, the Bulls were 5-of-6 from the field. Nine of the points came from Sabol as he got hot from three-point range. With 5:20 left in regulation, Buffalo's offense stalled as they'd only score six points the rest of the night. UMass took a 68-67 lead with 9.3 seconds left, Freitag had a chance to win the game for the Bulls, but his jump shot went off the rim as time expired.
The Bulls struggled from the free throw line on the night as they were just 7-of-14.
BUFFALO LEADERS
Ryan Sabol: 27 pts., 10-18 FG, 5-12 3PTFG, 5 asst.
Daniel Freitag: 18 pts.,7 asst.
Noah Batchelor: 16 pts., 7-7 FG, 2-2 3PTFG
Mikhail Pocknett: 4 pts., 6 reb.
TEAM STATS
UMass Minutemen: 44.8 FG% (26-of-58), 30.0 3PTFG% (6-of-20), 62.5 FT% (10-of-16), 36 Reb., 13 Asst., 13 TO, 8 Stl., 1 Blk.
Buffalo Bulls: 50.0 FG% (26-of-52), 32.0 3PTFG% (8-of-25), 50.0 FT% (7-of-14), 28 Reb., 17 Asst., 12 TO, 7 Stl., 1 Blk.
The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday as they're back on the road to take on the Bowling Green Falcons at 7 p.m.
For all the latest on UB men's basketball, follow @UBuffaloMBB on Twitter/X, @ubuffalo_mbb on Instagram and like the UB Men's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Ryan Sabol led the Bulls in scoring for the second consecutive game as buried 27 points. He drained five three-pointers for the 15th time in his career. Sabol has now scored at least 20 points in three straight games for the first time in his career. He also added five assists. Over the last three games, the junior guard is averaging 24.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.3 spg to go with a field goal percentage of .509. He's also put away 14 three-pointers.
Noah Batchelor did not miss a shot on the night as he went 7-for-7 from the floor, including a pair of three pointers. He tied his career-high 16 points for the third time at Buffalo. Daniel Freitag returned to action where he scored 18 points with a game-high seven assists.
UMass made their presence known to start the contest. They bullied their way in the paint as seven of their first eight baskets came in the paint. The Minutemen extended their lead to 22-11 after a three-pointer with 12:06 to go. UMass used an 18-2 run to take a commanding 33-13 lead with 7:32 left in the half. Buffalo turned defense into offense as they managed to get a pair of turnovers while forcing the Minutemen to go 2-for-10 from the field in the final seven minutes. The Bulls cut their deficit to nine points at the half courtesy of a 16-5 run including a Sabol three with 11 seconds to go before the half. As both teams headed to the locker room, UMass led, 38-29.
UMass increased their lead back to double digits three times in the second half, but the Bulls kept battling. Trailing 54-47 with 9:40 remaining, Buffalo went on a 14-0 run to take a 61-54 lead. In the run, the Bulls were 5-of-6 from the field. Nine of the points came from Sabol as he got hot from three-point range. With 5:20 left in regulation, Buffalo's offense stalled as they'd only score six points the rest of the night. UMass took a 68-67 lead with 9.3 seconds left, Freitag had a chance to win the game for the Bulls, but his jump shot went off the rim as time expired.
The Bulls struggled from the free throw line on the night as they were just 7-of-14.
BUFFALO LEADERS
Ryan Sabol: 27 pts., 10-18 FG, 5-12 3PTFG, 5 asst.
Daniel Freitag: 18 pts.,7 asst.
Noah Batchelor: 16 pts., 7-7 FG, 2-2 3PTFG
Mikhail Pocknett: 4 pts., 6 reb.
TEAM STATS
UMass Minutemen: 44.8 FG% (26-of-58), 30.0 3PTFG% (6-of-20), 62.5 FT% (10-of-16), 36 Reb., 13 Asst., 13 TO, 8 Stl., 1 Blk.
Buffalo Bulls: 50.0 FG% (26-of-52), 32.0 3PTFG% (8-of-25), 50.0 FT% (7-of-14), 28 Reb., 17 Asst., 12 TO, 7 Stl., 1 Blk.
The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday as they're back on the road to take on the Bowling Green Falcons at 7 p.m.
For all the latest on UB men's basketball, follow @UBuffaloMBB on Twitter/X, @ubuffalo_mbb on Instagram and like the UB Men's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Team Stats
UMass
UB
FG%
.448
.500
3FG%
.300
.320
FT%
.625
.500
RB
36
28
TO
13
12
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Pts
27
FGM
10
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
Guard/Forward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
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