The victory improves . . .
On their Senior Night, the Falcons got off to a quick start as BG raced out to an 8-2 lead just two minutes in. The six-point advantage would end up being the largest of the night for the Bowling Green.
Trailing 22-21, the Bulls went on a 12-2 run to take a lead, capped off on a dunk from sophomore Josh Mballa, giving UB the 33-24 advantage with 4:03 left. The Falcons came back to pull within four, but junior Jayvon Graves knocked down a triple right before the break as the Bulls went into the half, 40-33.
An 11-4 run from the Falcons to open the second half quickly tied the game up at 44-44 and the Falcons went on to regain the lead at 47-46. However, the Bulls scored the next five, including a three from Jeenathan Williams as UB regained a 51-47 lead.
Bowling Green again came back and tied the game at 63-63, but the Bulls responded with a 14-2 run, including a pair of monstrous dunks from Davonta Jordan as UB took a 77-65 lead with 6:40 remaining.
The Falcons answered with six straight, but UB got an answer from Mballa, who converted on the three-point play. Bowling Green again came back and cut the Buffalo lead to just two with 29 seconds left.
Sophomore Ronaldo Segu played the role of closer. He hit a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left, but BG again pulled within two with 20 seconds remaining. Two more free throws from Segu with 13 seconds left clinched the game for the Bulls.
Graves led all scorers with 25 points as he went 11-of-19 from the floor, adding five rebounds and a pair of assists.
Mballa finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, while Jordan had16 points, three rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
Williams had 14 points and three boards, while Segu finished with 11 points. Tahjai Teague led Ball State with 18 points, followed by Miryne Thomas' 14. Kyle Mallers and Ishmael El-Amin contributed a dozen apiece.
The Bulls shot 54.4% from the floor, the first time in conference play that the Bulls shot over 50% in a game and the first time since shooting 58.3% against Niagara.
Buffalo dominated the paint, doubling up Bowling Green, 56-28, down low. UB also held a huge advantage on the fast break, outscoring BG, 22-7.
Buffalo will begin Mid-American Conference Tournament play on Monday night at Alumni Arena by hosting #12 Miami. Tip off will be determined following the conclusion of the women's basketball regular season tomorrow.