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MT. PLEASANT, MI - In a cross-divisional matchup riddled by a combined 50 personal fouls, the University at Buffalo men’s basketball team fell to Central Michigan at the Rose Center on Thursday evening, 88-82.
The tide quickly changed in favor of the Chippewas following the game’s third media timeout at 7:51. Facing a seven-point deficit with just under eight minutes remaining, the Chippewas’ Robbie Harman assisted on an Antonio Weary dunk to start Central Michigan’s comeback. Harman followed up with a three-point bucket to pull the Chippewas within two, which brought the home crowd to its feet.
The Chippewas managed to score their next 11 points from the free throw line. Off a trio of successful free throws, Central Michigan captured a one-point lead, 27-26.
Senior Rodney Pierce managed to restore the Bulls lead with 5:11 remaining when he converted a pair of charity tosses. However, CMU returned to the free throw line to connect on eight free throws to remain in the lead for the time remaining in the first half. Heading into the break, Central Michigan led 41-37.
The Chippewas took the momentum of their first-half lead right throw the second half. Early in the second half, Buffalo pulled within one off a layup by sophomore Titus Robinson, but Harman hit a three to give the Chippewas extra cushion.
Despite the Bulls’ effort to chisel away at Central Michigan’s lead throughout the second half, the Chippewas countered Buffalo’s offensive attack with one of their own.
Scoring 22 points, Pierce led the Bulls’ scoring attack for the 13th time this season. Pierce also added a career-high seven assists to record his 205th career assist. Senior Calvin Betts added 15 points to the Bulls’ total, including a team-high eight rebounds. Robinson and Pierce went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Jordan Bitzer, who led the Chippewas with 22 points and eight rebounds, managed to go 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Harman scored 19 points, including four treys.
Combining for 50 personal fouls, each team ran into foul troubles in the contest. Buffalo recorded a season-high 27 personal fouls followed by Central Michigan with 23 personal fouls.
The Bulls remain on the road as they travel to conference opponent Toledo on Saturday (7 p.m.) Central Michigan hosts Kent State Saturday (7 p.m.).
Courtesy of Buffalo Athletics |
