Tough D and Hot Threes Propel UB to Victory

The saying goes live by the three, die by the three.

On Saturday night in Alumni Arena, the Bulls certainly lived by the three-point shot.

UB hit eight of their 16 three-point attempts, as Mario Jordan paced the Bulls with 16 points, and Buffalo won their second in a row with an 86-66 win over the Youngstown State Penguins (2-4).

The Bulls (2-3, 1-0 MAC) were clicking on all cylinders, but they were especially deadly from three-point range, shooting an amazing 55.6 percent from beyond the arc in the first half. UB took control of the game early in the first half with three consecutive treys.

From the point where Daniel Gilbert drilled a three to go up 11-8, UB went on a 20-4 run, and went into halftime leading YSU by 23.

For the second game in a row, the Bulls had five players reach double digits in points. Along with Jordan, Mark Bortz had 15, Jason Bird added 13, and Roderick Middleton and Yassin Idbihi each chipped in with 12.

"I think we are gaining a better understanding of our offense," Bulls head coach Reggie Witherspoon said.

The Bulls broke the game open early with their three-point shooting, but their defense was stifling and did not allow the Penguins to come within 18 points in the second half. Gilbert and Jordan, who notched five and four steals respectively, led UB's defensive unit. Buffalo totaled 13 steals on the night, and they only coughed the ball up nine times.

"Our defensive pressure can help at both ends of the floor," added Witherspoon.

The Bulls not only played better on defense and beyond the arc, but in the paint as well. Big men Idbihi and Bortz tore the Penguins apart down low, outscoring them 42-28 in the key.

Buffalo was also much improved from the free-throw line. Bortz went 5-5 from the charity stripe; Idbihi went 6-7, and Jordan 5-6. UB missed a total of only five free throws for the entire game.

"We are playing with passion, unselfish vision and spirit," said Witherspoon. "It takes a lot for a team to come together and we're playing with that unselfish desire, allowing us to have five players in double-figures."

This win makes two in a row for the Bulls, who hope they can continue their dominance at Colgate against the Red Raiders on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.