Just when some think the Bulls are down and out, they seem to find a way to bounce back.
After a devastating loss to Central Michigan on Saturday, the men's basketball team headed to an arena where they've never won before, turned the ball over almost 30 times, yet still pulled out a 76-73 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons.
The first half was the Andy Robinson and Calvin Cage show as guard duo shined. Robinson, a freshman from Schenectady, N.Y., provided seven points and two steals while Cage contributed three shots from behind the arc. Following a slow start that involved six ties and seven lead changes, the Bulls went on an 18-4 run to lead 38-24 at the break.
"Some baskets inside allowed us to start moving the ball," said assistant coach Kevin Heck.
Buffalo (14-4, 4-3 Mid-American Conference) came out of the gate in the second half on a five-point run and led by as much as 19 before the Falcons dropped in two quick buckets. The Bulls swiftly answered with a Cage three. However, the Falcons began to get physical with the Bulls and with basket after basket, BGSU seemed to nibble away at the lead.
Three minutes later and with a 16-2 run under its belt, Bowling Green (5-10, 1-6 MAC) was down by only two.
Cage, who had a team-high 24 points, once again provided the momentum for the Bulls, darting into the lane and showed no fear taking the ball to the rim. As multiple Bowling Green players surrounded Cage, he threw up an acrobatic shot and was fouled as the basket dropped. The ensuing free throw gave Cage a three-point play and the Bulls went on a 10-point run to lead 71-61.
"In the first half we tried to show them a little zone and see if they would struggle with it and it seems like they did," said head coach Reggie Witherspoon. "We just tried to keep our composure long enough to make it hard on them."
From that point on, the Falcons and Bulls went back and forth again. Senior guard Roderick Middleton led the seesaw action when he drained one from downtown. Middleton finished the night with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
With Buffalo leading by seven and in control of the energy, Bowling Green came down the court where senior forward Mario Jordan committed an intentional foul and was then immediately hit with a technical foul as well. The Falcons then made four points to bring the lead within three and were given possession as well. On the ensuing play, Bowling Green's Martin Samarco drove to the lane but was swatted by the returning junior forward Parnell Smith, who registered eight points in the game.
"With Parnell back, our rotation was extended immeasurably," Witherspoon said. "By him giving us 18 minutes, it kept us from having to expose some guys who aren't quite ready yet. He's a tremendous threat around the basket but he's nowhere near 100 percent (healthy)."
The Falcons never came any closer than three to the Bulls, who left the Anderson Arena with their first win ever in that venue.
"Anytime you win on the road, it's big," Witherspoon said. "You win here, you get it, and you get out."
The Bulls now look ahead to a heated match-up Thursday night against MAC foe Ohio. The last time the Bulls saw the Bobcats, they watched Leon Williams stretch to tip in the game-winning basket as time expired in overtime during the MAC Championship game. The victory for Ohio clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, while Buffalo was relegated to watching Selection Sunday and hoping for a bid that never came.
The biggest challenge for the Bulls on Thursday will be stopping the inside attack of Williams. Last year's MAC Freshman of the Year, Williams is averaging nearly 12 points and 8 boards a game. In three games against Buffalo last season, Williams averaged 22.6 points 13 boards per game, high above his season average of 11.9 and 8.6. This year, the Bulls' big men need to stay out of foul trouble and rely on help defense in order to stop Williams.
Buffalo's backcourt will have to stop the perimeter attack of senior Mychal Green and Ohio's other super-sophomore Jeremy Fears. In last year's title game, the duo combined for 52 points, 33 of which came from hot-shooting Fears. Green and Fears dropped a total of 13 three-pointers over the three contests against the Bulls last year and eliminating the long-distance shot would throw off Ohio's game.
On the offensive end, Buffalo will have to employ a balanced attack instead of relying on Cage's shooting and junior forward Yassin Idbihi's inside game. A healthy Smith will be the key to the Bulls' game plan. His toughness and offensive rebounding will add a third facet to Buffalo's offense and allow for second-chance points that could be the difference.
Buffalo's bench will also need to contribute. Robinson will be counted on to play tight defense on the Ohio guards, provide steals and toss in a clutch basket here and there. The Bulls will also need steady play from Jordan and sophomore forward Andrew Atman in the frontcourt to help with the task of stopping Williams and company.
Buffalo is expecting a large turnout from the Mighty Maniac student section due largely to the bad taste left in the mouths of the hundreds of students that witnessed the championship loss.
The game will tip off Thursday night at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on FSN Ohio.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
