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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo - which has lost numerous close games in the Mid-American Conference and three overtime games this season - finally got over the hump on Saturday night against Miami University in a Mid-American Conference men's basketball contest.

The Bulls got a key steal at the end of regulation and then outscored Miami (13-14, 9-7 in the MAC) 13-8 in overtime to post a 66-61 victory before 2,109 fans at Alumni Arena. The win improved Buffalo to 4-21 overall and 2-14 in the conference and may have put to rest many demons as the Bulls have lost 12 games by 10 or less this season.

"This is a big one because we've been close for so long," said Buffalo coach Reggie Witherspoon. "This is a bigger win than previous ones because it happens to come against a team that beat us by 32 earlier this season and has beaten (Top 25 ranked) Notre Dame and Temple on the road this year."

The Bulls put three players in double figures as Robert Brown (Oak Park, MI/Oak Park), Jason Robinson (Seattle, WA/Curtis) and Louis Campbell (Rahway, NJ/Rahway) each made huge contributions to the win. Brown had a team-high 22 points, Robinson added 19 points and Campbell had 14 points, 12 rebounds and five steals, including one at the end of regulation with the score tied at 53-53 and Miami ready to take a potential game-winning shot.

In a game that featured 15 ties and numerous lead changes and saw neither team lead by more than seven points throughout, it was destined to come down to the final five minutes. Miami led 49-46 on a basket by game-high scorer Alex Shorts (24 points) before UB's Damien Foster (Buffalo, NY/Traditional) hit a huge three-pointer to tie the game at 49-49 with 2:50 left. Buffalo took a two-point lead on a pair of free throws by Brown with 1:53 left only to see Doug Davis tie it back up at 51-51 with 1:34 left. The RedHawks took a 53-51 lead with :48 left on an inside jumper by Shorts but UB had an answer on a drive by Brown with :32 left.

Buffalo's Campbell then forced overtime with a steal of Miami's final possession and a driving layup that rolled off the rim in the final :03 of regulation forcing overtime. Buffalo took the lead for good in overtime on a pair of free throws by Campbell with 1:55 left to snap a 57-57 tie. After a miss by Miami's Davis, Brown scored once more to put Buffalo up four (61-57) with 1:12 left. Shorts, however, had another answer before Robinson drove the lane and scored the eventual winner with :27 left to make the score 63-59.

On Miami's ensuing possession, Campbell again stole a pass and converted three of four free throws in the final :14 to seal the victory.

"We came together and stayed focused for the entire game," said Campbell afterwards. "We can win but we must do that on a consistent basis."

Said Brown of his performance, "The last time we played them I was sick and felt I let my team down. Tonight was about respect and showing that we do know how to win."

"We were aggressive the entire game and had good concentration throughout," said Witherspoon. "I thought we played good defense because Alex Shorts is all that all the time."

Miami led 32-30 at halftime as the RedHawks scorched the nets at 59%. However, Buffalo's defense in the second half caused Miami to shoot 7-of-28 (25%) from the field as both teams had problems scoring. Buffalo also committed a season-low nine turnovers, including just three in the second half and overtime.