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Mario Jordan

Buffalo (18-8, 10-7 MAC) jumped out to a 23-13 lead on a layup by Mario Jordan (Cleveland, OH/Benedictine) with 11:03 left in the first half. A jumper by Yassin Idbihi (Tangier, Morocco/Schloss Hagerhof) gave the Bulls their biggest lead of the game, 34-24, with 5:34 left in the opening stanza. However, Ohio finished the half on an 11-2 scoring run to cut the UB advantage to 38-37 at the break.

Ohio (17-9, 11-6 MAC) opened the second half with a three-point barrage. The Bobcats nailed five treys in the first five minutes of the second half to spark a 19-5 scoring run and quickly take control of the contest, 59-43. Trailing, 72-58, the Bulls hit three straight three-pointers by Idbihi, Roderick Middleton (University Park, IL/Marian Catholic) and Turner Battle (Kernersville, NC/East Forsyth), respectively, to cut the Ohio advantage to 72-67 with 3:31 remaining. However, that would be as close as the Bulls would get as the Bobcats converted their free throws down the stretch to pull away for the 13-point victory. Ohio shot 53.1 percent for the game, including a sizzling 60.9 percent in the second half.

The Bobcats were led by freshman Jeremy Fears who netted a career-high 33 points, including six three three-pointers. Fellow freshman Leon Williams notched a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

UB had four players reach double-figures led by Battle with 16 points. Idbihi had 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Jordan and Middleton chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Buffalo outrebounded Ohio, 43-40, and grabbed a season-high 23 offensive boards. The Bulls also forced 19 turnovers and had nine steals.

"Ohio shot the ball unbelievably well and they came out in the second half and did a great job, head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "We got a little passive on the offensive end and they seemed to get more aggressive."

The loss spoiled the Bulls' chance at claiming a bye in the first round of the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Bulls will host a home playoff game on March 7. UB's opponent will be determined following the games on Saturday.

Buffalo will conclude the regular season against Akron at Alumni Arena on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is slated for 4 pm.