Bulls Take Down Youngstown State in Season Opener, 70-62

Pierce paces UB with 21 points

Rodney Pierce

YOUNGSTOWN, OH - Rodney Pierce scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to lead the University at Buffalo men’s basketball team to a 70-62 season-opening win at Youngstown State on Saturday night.

With the Bulls trailing, 54-53, and 5:34 on the clock, Pierce scored seven of the Bulls’ nine unanswered points to give UB a 64-56 lead with 2:56 left. Youngstown State wouldn’t get any closer than five points the rest of the way.

Greg Gamble looked very comfortable in his first game at the point guard position. The senior from Niagara Falls finished the night with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes. He shot 9-of-14 from the field.

Calvin Betts notched a double-double with 12 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. He led a dominating effort on the boards as the Bulls outrebounded the Penguins, 51-39.

Greg Gamble

Buffalo had eight blocked shots on the night – led by Max Boudreau’s three rejections. Boudreau added six points and six rebounds.

Freshmen Titus Robinson and Mitchell Watt, each scored the first points of their careers by driving the lane for two-handed dunks. They each scored two points on the night.

Defensively, Buffalo held Youngstown State to 35 percent shooting from the field, including 2-for-18 from beyond the arc.

Up next for the Bulls is a Tuesday night showdown with cross-town rival Canisius at the Koessler Center.