BUFFALO, NY - Citing the rapid growth of the University at Buffalo men's basketball program, UB Director of Athletics Nelson Townsend has announced that men's basketball coach Tim Cohane has received a three-year contract extension.

"Coach Cohane has demonstrated progressive leadership with the men's basketball program," said Townsend, "and this move solidifies the program's continued leadership into the Mid-American Conference and the next century."

Under Cohane's tutelage the Bulls went from just seven victories over their first two seasons of Division I play to an average of nearly 15 wins per season in Cohane's four-year tenure. Included in that time frame was an 18-10 mark in 1994-95; the most wins since 1965, and a 17-11 mark last year and the inaugural Big 4 Championship by defeating Niagara, Canisius and St. Bonaventure in one week.

Cohane's teams have experienced success despite a demanding schedule, nine games against Big East opponents in the past four years, and the travel load of the Mid-Continent Conference.

"Coach Cohane has put our program in a position to be a competitive force in the ranks of Division I basketball," said Townsend. "For that reason, and many others, we want to reward him with this extension."

The Bulls lost just one starter from last yearís 17-11 team and will open the season on November 15 at Southern Utah.