TOLEDO, Ohio — The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start on Tuesday night, falling at Toledo, 86-54, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools.
The Rockets shot over 70% from the floor for much of the opening half, leading by as many as 22 during the first 20 minutes. Toledo took a 41-19 lead with 3:36 left in the half and went into the break with a 46-25 advantage.
Toledo opened the second half on an 8-0 run and took its largest lead of the night with 11:10 left, 68-33. UB was able to answer with a 15-4 run as it got a solid performance off the bench from freshman Quate McKinzie, who scored seven of the 15 points during the run, including a pair of threes. Buffalo pulled within 72-48 with 5:42 left, but Toledo ended the game on a 14-6 run.
McKinzie led the Bulls with 12 points off the bench as he went 4-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three-point range. In fact, McKinzie hit three of UB’s four three pointers on the night. He also added a team-high six rebounds, while recording two blocks and a steal. McKinzie is now shooting 24-of-28 from the floor this year.
Senior David Kadiri also had his best night of the season as he finished with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Kadiri and McKinzie combined to go 9-of-12 from the field.
Senior Blake Hamilton had nine points, while Nick Perkins added seven points, four rebounds, and tied his career high with four blocked shots. As a team, UB had 10 blocks on the night, its second highest total of the year.
Toledo, who won its fourth straight game, shot 51.7% from the field, including 61.3% from three-point range. The Rockets outrebounded UB, 49-33. Jonathan Williams had a team-high 26 points, while Jaelan Sanford added 22.
The Bulls will remain on the road Saturday afternoon when they head to Eastern Michigan. The game will tip off at 2:30 pm and air on ESPN3.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
