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Bulls Return Home to Host Northern Illinois on Saturday Afternoon

Eric Moore

The last time Buffalo lost five straight conference games was in the 2003-04 season. The Bulls were in the midst of a six-game losing streak when they defeated none other than the Northern Illinois Huskies before going on to win 12 of their last 15 games on the year. Buffalo looks to end its slide after losing to Western Michigan, 85-64, on Wednesday. The game dropped the Bulls to 9-12 overall and 1-7 in MAC play. Northern Illinois is in the midst of a seven-game losing streak of its own, most recently falling at Miami (OH), 62-59. The Huskies have lost 15 of their last 16 games, and are 0-4 on the road so far this year in conference play.

The Bulls will once again look to senior leader Yassin Idbihi (Tangier, Morocco/Schloss Hagerhof), who jumped to seventh on the school’s all-time scoring list with a 13-point performance on Wednesday. Idbihi was one of three Bulls in double-figures in the loss, as senior Parnell Smith (Indianapolis, IN/Pike) added 12 and freshman Max Boudreau (Montreal, Quebec/Champlain-St. Lambert) 10 of his own.

Sophomore guard Eric Moore (Dover, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep) and the rest of the Bulls will shoot to regain their stroke from deep on Saturday after going 0-11 from three-point land at Western Michigan.

Northern Illinois has been led by Mike McKinney who is averaging 13.6 points per game this season. The senior guard went for 20 at Miami, while junior Ryan Paradise (10.5 ppg) added 15. Senior James Hughes, the third Huskie to average double figures on the year, will look to bounce back after a six-point performance in the loss. Hughes collected 11 rebounds on the night as well.

Tip-off is slated for 2:00 pm. The game can be heard locally on WWKB 1520 AM or on the web at www.buffalobulls.com.

Catch the UB women in action directly following the men’s game as they host MAC foe Ball State.

Game preview written by sophomore guard Sean Smiley