Bulls Defeat Chippewas on the Road, 76-64

Tuesday, January 2

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

7 p.m.

2-11,1-0MAC

Central Michigan

5-8,0-1MAC

Buffalo

Central Mich.

Photo by: Zach Monell/UBBulls.com

Bulls Defeat Chippewas on the Road, 76-64

1/2/2024 9:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Behind a 26-point performance from Sy Chatman, the University at Buffalo men's basketball team (2-11, 1-0 MAC) came out victorious on the road against the Central Michigan Chippewas (5-8, 0-1 MAC), 76-64. In the wire-to-wire win, Chatman wasn't the only Bull to score in double figures. Isaiah Adams scored 13 and Ryan Sabol buried 15. Jonnivius Smith recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

To start the contest, the Bulls took a 19-4 lead. 10 of the Bulls' points came from Chatman just 7:10 into the game. Sabol added to show as he got fired up quick. He started 5-for-6 from three in just the first half. His 15 first half points tied his career high while setting a new career-high in three pointers. The Bulls could do know wrong as they led 36-18 at the half. The 18 points allowed was the fewest scored by an opponent in any half this season.

Coming out of the half, the Chippewas came out firing. At the first media timeout, the Chippewas cut Buffalo's lead to 41-31. Just over halfway through the half, a pair of Central Michigan free throws made it a five-point ball game as Buffalo led, 50-45. The Chippewas were able to cut into the Bulls' lead as they made six more baskets from the floor, finishing 17-for-34 in the half. Buffalo was held to just 11-for-23. Down the stretch, the Bulls made the crucial free throws to secure the win. The Bulls were 18-for-20 in the second half after making both their attempts in the first half.

The last time the Bulls shot 90.0% from the charity stripe came against Ohio on Jan. 28, 2022, when they went 6-for-6. The win marks the second straight season Buffalo opened MAC play 1-0.

"I feel very proud of our guys," stated Head Coach George Halcovage III. "You're going to have some lapses in the game, but it really came down to putting two defensive halves together like that. We stuck to the game plan and stayed together till the end. So proud of our guys."

The Bulls will be back at Alumni Arena for a two-game home stand starting with Western Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. The Miami (OH) RedHawks will make their way to Western New York for their contest on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

For ticket information, click here.