Junior Josh Mballa . . .
The first half of the game was a feeling out process for both team as the Bulls had not played since Dec. 19. The Cardinals never led by more than four points, taking that advantage just two and a half minutes into the game. Ball State had an advantage as late as 1:51 left in the first half, but the Bulls scored the final four points of the stanza to take a 33-31 lead into the break.
The Cardinals scored the first bucket of the second half, but then the Bulls answered with seven straight points, increasing the Buffalo lead to 40-32 just two minutes into the period.
Midway through the second half the Bulls got the three ball going as seven straight made field goals from Buffalo came from behind the arc, the first three courtesy of senior Keishawn Brewton. A three from Jayvon Graves extended the UB lead to 76-57 with 7:12 left. Buffalo took its largest lead of the game with 2:20 left when a Savion Gallion free throw put the Bulls ahead, 84-62, and UB went on to win by 17.
"I honestly didn't know what to expect in the first half with us not having played in three weeks and you definitely saw some rust there, but I thought we played hard, just didn't make very many shots," said Jim Whitesell. "Then in the second half we got our feet under us and I thought our shot selection was much better."
Mballa was one of five players in doubles figures as Graves finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Williams contributed 16 points and six rebounds, while Ronaldo Segu added 14 points and five assists. Brewton had 12 points off the bench.
K.J. Walton paced Ball State with 17 points, followed by Luke Bumbalaugh (14), Brachen Hazen (11) and Zach Gunn (10).
UB finished with 25 offensive rebounds, the first time they have had that many offensive boards since January 4, 2012 against Buffalo State. The strong game on the glass allowed UB to take 82 field goal attempts, their most in a game since 83 against Toledo on January 8, 2019.
The Bulls finished the night with a 53-39 advantage on the glass.