KENT, OH – The University at Buffalo men's
basketball team ran into a bad combination on Wednesday night as
the Bulls not only struggled from the field, but faced a Kent State
squad who could not miss in the second half as the Golden Flashes
won the contest, 89-54. The loss drops UB's record to 10-5
and 3-1 in the MAC.
Both teams struggled to find their shooting touch in the first half
as the two teams combined for just 17 points over the first seven
minutes of action. The Golden Flashes would lead by nine in the
opening half, but the Bulls cut it to two on back-to-back fast
break buckets from Calvin Betts. Kent State would respond by ending
the half on an 8-0 run to go into the break up 10.
The second half belonged all to Kent State as the Golden Flashes
hit 10 of their first 11 shots as they ended up shooting 74.1
percent from the floor during the final 20 minutes, including
10-of-14 from three-point range. The Golden Flashes began the half
on a 22-10 run and led by as many as 39 points. One of the few
bright spots for the Bulls in the second half was a thunderous dunk
from Jawaan Alston, who was playing for the first time in six
games.
The Bulls were led by 15 points from Max Boudreau and 14 points and
five rebounds from Betts, who also had three assists and two steals
on the night. John Boyer finished with a game-high five assists,
while senior Rodney Pierce finished with just four points, snapping
a streak of eight straight 20-point games.
Kent State had balanced scoring as six players finished in double
figures led by 18 points from Chris Singletary. Rodriguez Sherman
finished with 13 points, while Anthony Simpson had 11 points and a
team-high seven rebounds.
The Bulls remain on the road as they travel to Ohio on Saturday
afternoon to face the Bobcats. Tipoff is set for 2:00 pm.