Bulls Fall to 4th-Ranked Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - The University at Buffalo men's basketball team fell to fourth-ranked Purdue, 101-65, in front of 14,123 fans at Mackey Arena on Saturday night. The Boilermakers shot 52 percent from the field and hit 11 of their 12 three-pointers in the second half to pull away for the victory.

Buffalo (3-3) was led by Rodney Pierce who led all scorers with a season-high 20 points. The senior guard shot 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Bulls also got a spirited effort from Calvin Betts who also scored a season high with 17 points. Betts shot 8-for-11 from the free throw line. He added six rebounds and three steals.

Purdue jumped out to a 14-6 lead before the Bulls rattled off nine unanswered points. Pierce and Max Boudreau alternated scores to spark the run. However, it would be the only lead the Bulls would hold as Purdue answered with a 9-0 scoring run of its own. The Boilermakers held a 45-26 advantage at the half.

The Bulls had only five turnovers in the second half, but couldn't overcome the hot shooting of the Boilermakers. After nailing just one three-pointer in the first half, Purdue made 11 of its 16 three-point field goal attempts in the second half to pull away for the win.

Jawaan Alston had eight points and Boudreau and Mitchell Watt added seven points apiece. John Boyer failed to score, but did add six rebounds and six assists.

Four of Purdue's five starters scored in double-figures, led by Chris Kramer and E'Twaun Moore who each scored 14.

Buffalo will next play at Niagara on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm.