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BUFFALO, NY ­ Indiana State's Hulman Center was the site for magical performances by the legendary Larry Bird, but on Saturday UB hopes that perhaps a Bird of a different name ­ Jason Bird (Ypsilanti, MI/Ypsilanti) ­ and his teammates might have similar success there.

As part of the ESPN Bracket Buster, Buffalo will match-up against the Indiana State Sycamores at 4 pm on Saturday. It is just the second meeting in the two schools' histories, with the Sycamores having posted 102-73 win over UB during the 1975-76 season.

Turner Battle

The Bulls, who are 11-11 overall, have won two straight and six of their last eight. On Wednesday, Buffalo was victorious at Eastern Michigan by an 83-64 score. Junior point guard Turner Battle (Kernersville, NC/East Forsyth) raised his team-best scoring average to 14.5 points per contest with a 24-point effort in that game.

Indiana State, which has dropped eight in a row, has an overall mark of 8-15. The Sycamores average just 58.1 points per game, but only allow their opposition 62.5 points per contest. Sophomore guard David Moss leads the team with both 14.3 points and 3.2 assists per game.

Meanwhile, Indiana State freshman guard Tyson Schnitker is potent from the perimeter. His three-point shooting percentage of 48.3 leads the Missouri Valley Conference.

The key area in Saturday's game may be in the battle of the boards. UB ­ which has averaged 42.8 rebounds per contest in its last five games ­ has a substantial statistical advantage in terms of boards per game (37.3 to Indiana State's 29.7).