MEN'S BASKETBALL

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

Buffalo Survives Scare From Elon, 68-67

Calvin Cage

Calvin Cage (Capitol Heights, MD/Bladensburg) scored 12 of his 19 points in the final five minutes of the game to help the Bulls erase an eight-point deficit. The senior guard hit three straight three-pointers in the closing minutes of the contest. His final trey gave the Bulls a 66-65 lead with 30 seconds remaining. Cage then drew a charge at the other end of the floor to erase an Elon basket that would have given the Phoenix a one-point lead. Roderick Middleton (University Park, IL/Marian Catholic) sank a pair of free throws to give UB a 68-65 lead with four seconds remaining. Elon's Montell Watson hit a long jumper at the buzzer, but his foot was on the line and it was ruled only a two allowing the Bulls to escape with the one-point victory.

"I thought our guys fought hard right through to the end of the game," head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "We were able to rebound the ball effectively and be strong enough with the ball that we didn't have a large number of turnovers."

Yassin Idbihi (Tangier, Morocco/Schloss Hagerhof) led all scorers with a game-high 21 points and tied a career high with 12 rebounds. Middleton also scored in double-figures with 13 points and added five rebounds and four steals. Along with his 19 points, Cage added six rebounds, three assists and a steal.

After leading, 32-25, at the half, the Bulls held a 47-40 lead with 10:31 remaining. However, a pesky Elon squad mounted a 16-1 scoring run, capped by consecutive three-pointers, to take a 56-48 lead with 5:18 left in the game. Buffalo outscored the Phoenix, 20-11, over the final five minutes to earn the victory.

Yassin Idbihi

The Bulls outrebounded Elon, 37-27. UB pulled down 16 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second chance points. Buffalo shot a lukewarm 40 percent (22-for-55) from the field, including 7-of-22 from beyond the arc.

Elon (2-9) was led by Watson who scored 14 points. Colin Wyatt and Chris Chalko chip in with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Buffalo will wrap up non-conference play at Delaware State on Dec. 30. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 pm.