In basketball, as in most sports, there are stats for almost everything that happens in the course of a game.
But in the end, the only thing that really matters at the conclusion of the game is the final score.
That's why, despite winning the majority of the major statistical battles in Saturday's game at Marshall (6-7, 3-3 Mid-American Conference), the Bulls returned to Buffalo disappointed after a 86-74 loss in Huntington, WV.
The Bulls (5-9, 1-5 MAC) pulled down 17 offensive rebounds, had 14 steals, turned the ball over six less times and took 23 more shots than the Herd, but their winless streak stretched to six consecutive games.
The Herd's 24-3 first half run gave them a lead that, despite UB's greatest efforts, put the game out of reach for good. The run was started when Marshall freshman Tre Whitted knocked down two 3-pointers with 12:55 to go in the first half.
UB shot a dismal 37.7 percent from the field. That number killed the Bulls, as Marshall was on fire, hitting a season best 24-of-46 shot attempts. Their 52.2 percent shooting effort included a 7-of-14 effort from three-point land. They also knocked down 31-of-42 shots from the free throw line.
"Marshall came out and fought hard and shot the ball tremendously well," UB head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "The lack of depth and fouls are really hurting us."
The Bulls got the score as close as six with just 2:51 to play in the game but were not able to make a final run to take the game.
Buffalo got a good all around effort, as five UB players posted double digit scoring figures. Freshman center Yassin Idbihi had another strong game, pacing all UB scorers with 17 points. Point guard Turner Battle collected his first double double in scoring 15 points and leading the Bulls with 10 rebounds.
Poor shooting plagued the Bulls all game, however. Battle hit just five of his 16 shots in the game and as a team, Buffalo hit just 26 of its 69 shots. UB was particularly bad from three-point range, hitting just 5 of 16 shots.
Marshall's Marvin Black had his MAC-leading fifth double double of the season. Black scored a game-high 22 points and had 12 rebounds.
The Bulls head to Northern Illinois next, where the will try to snap their six-game skid against the Huskies at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
