Bulls Stumble Against the Chippewas

Saturday, February 28

Buffalo, N.Y.

2 p.m.

University at Buffalo

16-13,6-10MAC

Central Michigan

10-19,6-10MAC

Central Mich.

Buffalo

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics

2/28/2026 6:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo men's basketball program (16-13, 6-10 MAC) lost to the visiting Central Michigan Chippewas (10-19, 6-10 MAC) on Saturday, 75-70.

Playing all 40:00, Ryan Sabol led the Bulls with 17 points, four rebounds and five three-pointers. In back-to-back contests, he led the team in points and rebounds. He's now up to 105 threes on the season. Angelo Brizzi added 14 points with six assists. Derrick Talton Jr. and Tim Oboh scored 10 points with the former adding six assists.

Sabol reached another milestone on the afternoon as he became the first Bull since CJ Massinburg (2018-19) to tally a 500-point, 100-assist season.

Buffalo looked as though they were going to take control of the game as they took an early 8-2 lead. They ended up with another six-point lead at 13-7, but empty possessions allowed the Chippewas to crawl back. A fastbreak three-pointer by Central Michigan with just under eight minutes to go, gave them their first lead of the day at 18-16. The Bulls tied the game as Talton drove through the paint for a layup, but it was all Central Michigan the rest of the half. In the final four minutes of the half, the Bulls were nearly held scoreless as Batchelor made a second chance layup with 1:21 left. Central Michigan led, 34-26, at the half as they outscored the Bulls 9-2 to close the half.

The Chippewas pushed their lead to 16 twice in the second half. Trailing 49-33 with 12:00 left, the Bulls slowly started chipping away at the deficit. With 6:39 to go, Buffalo trimmed Central Michigan's lead in half as they led, 53-45. Clutch shooting by the visitors held off the Bulls as the lead went back to double digits at 67-55 with 2:41 to play. Momentum started to shift in favor of the Bulls as they scored in six consecutive possessions including a pair of quick threes. Brizzi made a layup to cut the Chippewas' lead to 73-70 with 12 seconds left. With the full court press in play, Central Michigan forced a foul. After making both free throws, it was nearly a done deal as time was running out for the Bulls. Kyle Jones heaved a desperation three, but it didn't fall as the Chippewas ran the clock out after securing the rebound.

BUFFALO LEADERS
Ryan Sabol: 17 pts., 5-12 3PTFG, 4 reb., 3 asst.
Angelo Brizzi: 14 pts., 3 reb., 6 asst., 2 stl., 1 blk.
Derrick Talton Jr.: 10 pts., 3 reb., 6 asst.
Tim Oboh: 10 pts., 3 reb., 5-8 FG, 2 blk.
Ezra McKenna: 8 pts., 3-3 FG, 2-2 3PTFG, 1 blk.

TEAM STATS
Central Michigan Chippewas: 47.3 FG% (26-of-55), 40.9 3PTFG% (9-of-22), 82.4 FT% (14-of-17), 39 Reb., 18 Asst., 15 TO, 4 Stl., 4 Blk.
Buffalo Bulls: 47.5 FG% (28-of-59), 34.8 3PTFG% (8-of-23), 66.7 FT% (6-of-7), 25 Reb., 18 Asst., 8 TO, 10 Stl., 4 Blk.

The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday for their final home game of the season. They'll host the Eastern Michigan Eagles at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

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.

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