Moss' career night powers UB men's basketball to season-opening win

Justin Moss had scored 14 of the men’s basketball team’s previous 22 points when he fouled out Friday night with Buffalo leading by two.

The junior forward was having the best game of his career, but would not be able to have an impact on the final 3:45 of Buffalo’s season opening game against South Dakota State.

“It was tough because when I fouled out I wanted to cry because I want to play in the game,” Moss said. “I want to play, but I had confidence in my team and knew they were going to finish.”

The Bulls (1-0) were able to finish without their leading scorer on opening night in Alumni Arena.

Behind Moss’ career-high 25-point, 13-rebound performance, the Bulls defeated South Dakota State (0-1) 69-67 in front of an announced crowd of 3,315. Junior guard Jarryn Skeete scored what would eventually be the game-winning basket – an uncontested layup with 41 seconds remaining that put Buffalo ahead 67-66.

“It was certainly a breakout game for Justin Moss,” said head coach Bobby Hurley. “I’m really happy for him. He’s been terrific in practice on a consistent basis and I’m not really surprised with the numbers he put up tonight.”

With the graduation of UB’s all-time leading scorer Javon McCrea, many wondered how the Bulls would replace McCrea’s production in the post. Moss had an impact very similar to McCrea Friday night, particularly during a stretch in the second half when the Bulls trailed by eight and Moss took the game over.

After the Jackrabbits took a 45-38 lead, Moss scored 14 points during a 20-8 Buffalo run. The run took the Bulls from a seven-point deficit to a five point-lead at 58-53. The Jackrabbits answered with an 8-2 run, in which Moss fouled out, to tie the game at 60.

Sophomore guard Shannon Evans had two chances to give the Bulls a four-point lead with less than 30 seconds remaining but failed both times. Evans was fouled twice and missed one of his two attempts both times.

A crucial overturn of a call helped the Bulls. With South Dakota State trailing by two with 10 seconds remaining, Evans tried to knock the ball in as he fell out of bounds. The officials originally ruled the ball hit off a Jackrabbits player and then off Buffalo senior forward Xavier Ford – a call which would have given the Jackrabbits the ball with 9.1 seconds remaining and only needing a three-point shot to take the lead.

After further review the officials ruled the ball did not hit Ford.

The Bulls struggled shooting the basketball all night – shooting just 32.4 percent from the field, including 9 of 33 in the first half. Buffalo only made one three-point basket on only nine attempts.

“I think we have guys capable of shooting, it just wasn’t our night hitting perimeter shots like we normally do,” Hurley said.

The Bulls had the advantage in free throw shooting, making 24-of-30 attempts while the Jackrabbits hit less than half their shots from the line (14 of 29). Moss went 11-for-11 on his foul shots.

Evans finished second on the team with 17 points. Moss and Evans combined to shoot 39 of Buffalo’s 68 field goal attempts.

Both Ford and freshman guard Lamonte Bearden scored eight points. Ford had nine rebounds and several dunks that electrified the crowd, while Bearden had a game-high six assists.

Senior forward Will Regan, who is the Bulls' only preseason All-MAC East selection, took just one field goal attempt Friday. He couldn't connect and finished with four points in 30 minutes. Hurley said part of the reason for Regan’s lack of production was that Buffalo was unable to execute the pick and roll.

“But we’ll look at it, look at the tape, see how he was guarded and figure out other ways we can get him more involved on offense,” Hurley said.

Buffalo faces Kentucky (1-0), the No. 1 team in the country, Sunday.

“I just want these guys to get a lot of rest. I want these guys to go to bed really soon,” Hurley said. “It’s a heck of a challenge … It’s going to be a great atmosphere, they’ve got great tradition and they have a bunch of NBA players so we’re going to have to step up to that challenge.”

Sunday’s game in Lexington is set for noon.

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