UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO ATHLETICS
MILWAUKEE, WI – The 20th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles shot 80% from three-point range and got 45 points from All-American candidate Markus Howard as they handed the #14 Buffalo men’s basketball team their first loss of the season, 103-85.
Buffalo ran into a Marquette squad that went 18-of-29 from three-point range for the game, shooting 62.1%. As a team, the Golden Eagles scored 64 points in the second half, outscoring the Bulls 64-47 over the final 20 minutes of action.
The Bulls got out to a quick start on Friday night as they won the opening tip and immediately drilled a three off the hands of senior CJ Massinburg. The Bulls built their lead up to nine just six minutes into the game as a three from senior Jeremy Harris put Buffalo ahead 19-10.
Buffalo managed to get Howard in foul trouble in the first half as he picked up two early fouls, but UB struggled on the glass, keeping Marquette in the game. The Bulls still led by eight following a three from Nick Perkins with 9:46 left in the opening period, but Marquette went on a 15-2 run, taking its first lead of the night.
The Golden Eagles led by as many as five in the first half, but took just a one point lead into the break, 39-38.
UB regained a three-point lead in the second half on a three-point play from senior Dontay Caruthers as Buffalo went ahead 52-49 with 15:05 left, but Howard then began to take over as Marquette went on a 16-2 run, taking its first double-digit lead of the night.
Back-to-back threes from Harris and Massinburg pulled the Bulls back within 11 with 5:20 remaining, but Howard proved to be too much. The Golden Eagles led by as many as 21 late in the second half before a late three from Jayvon Graves made the final, 103-85.
Harris led the Bulls with 22 points as he went 4-of-7 from three-point range, while adding seven rebounds and three assists.
Caruthers added 20 points, while Massinburg had 18 points, four boards, and four steals. Junior Davonta Jordan stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, a game-high eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Graves finished with eight points, while Perkins had seven points and seven rebounds.
Buffalo will be off for a week now for Christmas break before returning to action next Saturday, Dec. 29 at Canisius. Tip off is at 7pm.
