Strong First Half Leads Bulls Past Daemen, 82-67

Sophomore transfer Zach Filzen has seven threes on the night

Zach Filzen

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team used a 28-10 run early in the first half and held on in the second half for an 82-67 win over Daemen, in UB’s exhibition opener for the 2009-10 season Saturday night at Alumni Arena. The Bulls had nine different scorers on the night, including five in double figures.

The Bulls got off to a quick start in the game as sophomore transfer Zach Filzen hit six of his seven three-pointers in the first half, giving the Bulls an early 20-point lead. After making one of his first two attempts, Filzen converted on five straight threes, and had 18 points at the half.

Max Boudreau

The second half got a little tighter as Daemen was able to cut into the UB lead, getting it into single digits. Up nine with 9:27 left to go, the Bulls responded with four straight points and kept the lead in double figures until the Wildcats again cut it to nine with just 2:20 left. However, the Bulls clinched the game at the foul line as they converted on nine of their last 10 attempts in the final 1:15.

“I thought Daemen played very hard and it was a very good opponent for us to get started with,” said head coach Reggie Witherspoon. “We were able to get some jitters out and we got a lot of guys to play a lot of minutes and that is one of the things you look to accomplish in these games.”

John Boyer

The Bulls were led by Filzen’s 21 points as he went 7-of-12 from behind the arc. Junior Max Boudreau added 15 points, while a trio of Bulls finished with 10. Senior Calvin Betts had 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Rodney Pierce added 10 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Sophomore Titus Robinson had 10 points and four rebounds in 16 minutes. Senior John Boyer recorded a game-high six assists.

The Bulls begin the regular season next Sunday, Nov. 15 as they host Vermont at Alumni Arena. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.