Defense Keys Victory Over Toledo

Bulls extend winning streak to six games with 56-43 win over Rockets

Greg Gamble

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's basketball team put forth its finest defensive effort in recent memory, defeating Toledo, 56-43, at Alumni Arena on Saturday afternoon to extend its winning streak to six games. In front of a national television audience, Buffalo held the Rockets to the lowest point total by a Mid-American Conference opponent since joining the league in 1998.

Greg Gamble helped set the defensive tone early as he came up with a steal that led to a Mitchell Watt breakaway jam for the game's first two points. It was the beginning of a big day for Gamble who finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists and a career-best five steals.

Both teams got off to a sluggish start to the game. Jawaan Alston was a spark for the Bulls as he came off the bench to score six points and grab a career-best seven rebounds all in the first half to help UB establish a 29-24 lead at the break.

Buffalo (14-5, 6-1 MAC) opened the second half on a 16-4 scoring run, capped by a Calvin Betts three-pointer, to take a 45-28 lead with 12:47 remaining.

The Bulls would have to rely on their defense as they went nearly seven minutes with scoring. The UB drought allowed the Rockets to draw to within eight points with 5:23 left. However, that would be as close as Toledo would get as the Bulls scored six straight points to reestablish a 14-point lead and put the game on ice.

Vadim Fedotov

Vadim Fedotov scored 11 points for the Bulls and Betts added nine points and seven rebounds.

But it is was the Bulls' defense that won this game. Buffalo had 10 steals and forced 18 Toledo turnovers. The Bulls held the Rockets to only eight second-half field goals. Andy Robinson had a pair of pilfers to tie Turner Battle for fourth place in school history with 170 career steals.

"It was a big hurdle for us to clear to come into a game and shoot 30 percent and win by double-digits," head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "We didn't get down and our effort and energy was sustained no matter what the result was of a possession."

Buffalo will remain at home and host Central Michigan at Alumni Arena on Tuesday night.