BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team snapped a two-game losing skid on Tuesday night with an 83-79 win at Ohio. The victory improves UB to 10-7 in conference play and in a tie for second place in the league leading into the final regular season games on Friday.
Ohio got out to the quick start as the Bobcats opened an early 9-3 lead, but the Bulls answered back, going on a 9-3 run of their own and tying it up at 12-12. UB extended the run to 17-3 as a free throw from Willie Conner put the Bulls ahead 20-14. UB continued to lead by six when Ohio went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead, but UB went on another 8-2 run to take the 30-26 lead. A dunk from sophomore Nick Perkins capped off the opening half as the Bulls took the 40-35 lead into the break.
UB continued to hold on to a 47-43 lead in the second half when the Bulls went on a 7-0 run as a put-back dunk from senior Raheem Johnson gave Buffalo its largest lead of the night at 54-43. UB continued to lead by double figures at 65-55 when six straight Ohio points pulled the Bobcats back within four.
Ohio got within a single possession with 5:12 remaining, but senior Willie Conner hit a huge second-chance three pointer to put Buffalo back ahead by five. UB led 80-74 with 2:32 left, but they had to hold on as Ohio made one last charge.
The Bobcats scored five straight points to pull within one-point with 18 seconds left, but redshirt sophomore Dontay Caruthers was fouled and hit one of two shots to put UB back ahead two. Ohio got the ball back, but freshman Jason Carter missed a jumper with 1.8 left and CJ Massinburg got the rebound and hit a pair of free throws to seal the win.
Massinburg and Conner had 19 points each to lead UB. Conner drilled four three-pointers in the contest. Massinburg added five rebounds and four assists. Senior David Kadiri finished with 14 points as he went a perfect 7-of-7 from the field, while adding six rebounds.
Blake Hamilton finished with eight points and five assists and Perkins had seven points. Senior Raheem Johnson gave the Bulls solid minutes off the bench with four points and three blocked shots.
Caruthers had six points, while Quate McKinzie finished with four points, three rebounds and three steals.
Ohio fell to 18-10 and 10-7 in league play. The Bobcats were led by 19 points and nine rebounds from Carter.
The Bulls will return home for their regular season finale on Friday night as UB hosts Bowling Green at 7pm. The Bulls will have Senior Night where they will honor seniors Christian Pino, Raheem Johnson, David Kadiri, Willie Conner and Blake Hamilton.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
