Buffalo Holds Off Central Michigan, 56-55

Bulls extend winning streak to seven games

Andy Robinson

BUFFALO, NY – It wasn't easy, but the University at Buffalo men's basketball extended its winning streak to seven games with a 56-55 win over Central Michigan at Alumni Arena on Tuesday night. The Bulls erased an eight-point deficit in the final five minutes to pull out the victory.

After leading by five at the half, the Bulls extended their lead 37-26 with 16:37 left in the game. However, the Chippewas battled back and hit three straight three-pointers to cap a 17-1 run and grab a 43-38 advantage with 11:55 remaining.

Another three-pointer by Jordan Bitzer extended Central Michigan's lead to 53-45 with 5:28 remaining. John Boyer ignited the Bulls' comeback by draining his second three-pointer of the game to cut the lead to five. Calvin Betts found a cutting Rodney Pierce on a backdoor layup that he made and was fouled. His free throw cut the lead to 53-51 with 3:55 left.

A three-pointer by Andy Robinson gave the Bulls a 54-53 lead with 3:03 remaining. After Central Michigan reclaimed a 55-54 lead, Betts hit a reverse layup to give the Bulls the lead for good, 56-55, with 1:38 left.

However, UB was far from out of the woods. After the Bulls were unable to seal the game with free throws, the Chippewas drew a foul and went to the charity stripe with five seconds remaining. Jeremy Allen missed the front end of a one-and-one and Marcus Van's putback attempt was off the mark, allowing the Bulls to eek out the victory.

Andy Robinson led the Bulls with 14 points and was part of a UB bench that scored 37 of the team's 56 points. Sean Smiley scored eight points, including a pair of three-pointers and Boyer and Max Boudreau added six points apiece. Pierce led the UB starters with eight points.

Sean Smiley

The Bulls shot 50 percent from the field, including 7-for-11 from beyond the arc. Andy Robinson was 3-for-3 on his three-point attempts.

Bitzer (20) and Robbie Harmon (22) combined to score 42 of the Chippewas' 55 points.

"That was one of the more bizarre games that we have had," head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "We've got to learn from this one. You've got to be able to win all kinds of games."

Buffalo (15-5, 7-1 MAC) will conclude its three-game homestand with a Saturday afternoon clash with Northern Illinois at Alumni Arena.