UB finished the regular season with a 23-8 record, tying the school record for wins. UB is 15-3 in MAC play, the first MAC team to win 15 conference games in a season since Kent State in 2005-06.
The Bulls shot . . .
Buffalo raced out to an 18-5 lead just five minutes into the game as freshman Jayvon Graves hit a triple. A layup by Davonta Jordan with 12:31 left gave the Bulls a 27-10 advantage.
Bowling Green had one run in them during the first half as the Falcons were able to pull within eight, but following a Buffalo timeout, UB took control for the remainder of the night. UB answered with five straight points, capped off on a three from CJ Massinburg to pull the Bulls ahead 43-30. UB then reached the half century mark as it took a 50-37 lead into the break.
The Bulls again dominated the action once play resumed, putting the game away early on. UB opened the half on an 11-2 run as a steal and fast-break dunk from Massinburg gave the Bulls a 61-39 lead. Another 8-0 run for UB put the Bulls at a 30-point advantage with 11:48 as a layup from Nick Perkins left the Bulls ahead 74-44 with 11:48 left.
The Falcons had cut it to 26 when the Bulls hit back-to-back threes in the wildest fashion. It began with Massinburg, who was looking to push the pace and make a long pass to Perkins, but his pass was off the mark and appeared to be heading out of bounds. However, it banked off the backboard and in for a very unconventional – and very deep – three.
Junior Jeremy Harris then hit an uncontested three-pointer as Bowling Green called timeout with the Bulls ahead 87-55.
Buffalo got its lead up to as many as 33 following a Harris layup and a late bucket from redshirt freshman Brock Bertram gave UB 100 points for the fourth time this season. The four 100-point performances were the most by a UB team since the 1964-65 season.
The Bulls had five players in double figures, led by 19 points each from Massinburg and Perkins. Massinburg was 7-of-12 from the field, while finishing with three assists, a block, and two steals. Perkins just missed the double-double with nine rebounds.
Harris added 17points and five rebounds, while Graves totaled 12 points.
As a team, the Bulls did not turn the ball over once during the first half, while Bowling Green had eight first-half turnovers.
Buffalo outrebounded Bowling Green 38-37 for the game, holding a 22-16 advantage on the boards in the second half. UB also held a 46-24 lead in the paint, 20-4 in points off turnovers, 14-11 in second chance points, and 19-3 in fast-break points.
As a No. 1 seed, Buffalo’s MAC tournament opener will be Thursday. Bowling Green’s placement was yet to be determined, pending Saturday Western Michigan at Central Michigan game.
(Courtesy of UB Athletics)