MEN'S BASKETBALL

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

Bulls Stumble at Home to Ball State, 76-67

Greg Gamble

Ball State was quick to jump on a sluggish UB squad - taking a 19-9 lead midway through the first half. The Cardinals' lead would hover around 10 points for much of the first half before they settled for a 40-29 lead at the break.

Buffalo (8-15, 2-9 MAC) came out with a jump in its step to open the second half and collected three straight steals that led to transition baskets. An offensive rebound and putback by Kambi Laleye (Ottawa, Ontario/Champlain St. Lambert) cut the Ball State lead to 40-37 only two minutes into the second half.

However, the Cardinals responded with a 17-4 scoring run to take their largest lead of the game, 57-41, with 12:39 left. The Bulls rattled off nine unanswered points, capped by a steal and layup by Rodney Pierce (Buffalo, NY/Hutch-Tech), to cut the lead to seven with 9:24 remaining.

After a Calvin Betts (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta) jumper made the score 59-52 with 7:18 left, Ball State made its next five shots from the field to extend its lead to 12. The Bulls made one last run and cut the lead to six with 59 seconds left on an Andy Robinson (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) three-pointer. However, that would be as close as the Bulls would get.

Betts led UB is scoring for the second straight game with 12 points to go along with six rebounds. Max Boudreau (Montreal, Quebec/Champlain St. Lambert) added 11 points and Robinson netted 10.

Greg Gamble (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) had a solid all-around game with nine points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Ball State (4-19, 3-7 MAC) was led by Peyton Stovall who scored 22 points. Anthony Newell added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Cardinals.

"Ball State outworked us, outhustled us, they deserved to win," head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "For us to come out and play flat at home, I'm angry about it. We didn't have enough energy tonight."

Buffalo (8-15, 2-9 MAC) will remain at home and host Miami (OH) on Saturday night at Alumni Arena. The game will follow the UB women's basketball game against Central Michigan that tips off at 5:00 pm.