Akron had it coming.
After shutting down the men's basketball team in last year's Mid-American Conference Championship game, Zips head coach Keith Dambrot was fully prepared for the potential payback coming his team's way.
'You have to give [Buffalo] a lot of credit,' Dambrot said. 'We knew they were going to come in and play because of the MAC Championship game [last year]… They made baskets and they played better than we did today - there's no doubt about that.'
These comments came shortly after the Bulls (10-4, 3-0 MAC) beat the Zips (12-5, 2-1 MAC), 78-65, at Alumni Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Senior guard Rodney Pierce became the first Bulls' player ever to score 20 points or more in eight consecutive games. Pierce also tied his career high, recorded earlier this season, scoring 31 points in the win.
'I'm just playing within the flow of the game,' Pierce said. '[I'm] staying aggressive the whole time that I'm out there and when I get my chance, if I'm open, I'll usually knock [the shot] down. My teammates do a really good job of finding me too and that makes me even better.'
Senior guard Sean Smiley was lethal for the Bulls, netting 21 points in 25 minutes of action. His play helped the Bulls win the battle of the benches as Buffalo's reserves outscored Akron's, reserves, 33-13.
Smiley has made a consistent effort to play with energy all season long while having a little fun in the process.
'I always just try and have fun out there,' Smiley said. 'As long as I come out and can provide some energy and I'm going hard, that's all I can ask of myself…If I'm knocking down shots that's nice too. Especially this season, I have just been trying to bring a lot of energy and have as much fun as I can.'
Bulls head coach Reggie Witherspoon has noticed the evolution of Smiley this season.
'The biggest difference in Sean between this year and last is that he can make a mistake and then go to the next play,' Witherspoon said. 'If he makes a mistake you still have to deal with him. You have to be careful. You can't leave him open. He moves well without the ball, he sees the floor and he defends with enthusiasm. That has to provide a lot of stress for our opponents.'
Both teams went back-and-forth for most of the first half, trying to gain the upper hand. It wasn't until there was 2:41 remaining in the half that the Bulls would gain the clear advantage.
With the game tied at 27, Pierce converted on a 3-pointer that ignited a 13-0 run for the Bulls. Dambrot was hit with a technical foul with 54 seconds left on the clock and Smiley capitalized on a steal for a fastbreak lay-up to end the half.
Before Akron knew what hit them, Buffalo jumped out to a 40-27 lead before heading to the locker room.
The Bulls shot the lights out in the first half, going 5-for-8 from 3-point range, and shooting 52 percent from the field.
Pierce continued where he left off in the first half and scored seven of his team's first nine points in the second half.
The Zips pushed to within eight points at 49-41, but Smiley answered Akron's charge by draining a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Dambrot pinpointed the Smiley's play as the difference in the game.
'You can't give Sean Smiley 21 points and expect to win,' Dambrot said. 'I mean, he gets 21 and they're going to win. I don't know if he's scored 21 points in all the games we have played [against them]. He has been playing well so it's not to discredit him, but we did a poor job [of defending him].'
The Bulls stretched the lead to 14 with 9:01 left in regulation. Akron made a final comeback attempt and pulled within six points with 6:02 left, but was unable to get any closer.
Witherspoon thinks the defensive effort should be recognized. Pierce and Smiley combined for nine steals in the game.
'I think everybody will remember what we did offensively, but I think those guys did a terrific job defensively,' Witherspoon said.
Senior forward Max Boudreau added 10 points off the bench and went 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Akron forward Jimmy Conyers scored 17 in the loss and guard Steve McNees added 16 points.
An announced home crowd of 3,240 was instrumental in the Bulls' victory, and Witherspoon was quick to give the fans praise after the game.
'It always helps to get your students out because they are loud and make it tough on the opponent,' Witherspoon said. 'No doubt about it, the crowd really helped us and I'm sure [coach Dambrot] would agree with that.'
The Bulls don't have much time to celebrate the win as they must turn around and hit the road for a two-game road trip. Buffalo will look to start 4-0 in the MAC on Wednesday against Kent State with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
