Bulls men’s basketball (5-0, 0-0 MAC) defeated the University of Vermont Catamounts (4-1, 0-0 America East) 94-90 at Alumni Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Sophomore guard Daniel Freitag’s 33-point masterclass helped the Bulls achieve their first 5-0 start since the 2018-19 season — their last NCAA Tournament appearance.
“It’s just a matter of us keeping our focus on one game at a time, not getting ahead of ourselves. Whoever we play [...] If we look at it one possession, one game at a time, we know we have the guys and the depth to be really good,” said Head Coach George Halcovage in a post-game press conference.
The game stayed tight throughout. Freitag made a 3-pointer within the first minute, but Vermont answered back. Junior guard Ryan Sabol, who scored 32 in the season-opener against Southern Miss, notched a couple assists early to Freitag but was otherwise quiet offensively, shooting just 25% from the field.
Sophomore center Tim Oboh got on the board with two early free throws — the Bulls’ key to victory. Freitag went 9-for-10 from the line, Sabol 6-for-7, and senior guard Angelo Brizzi a perfect 9-for-9. After senior forward Ezra McKenna and senior guard Derrick Talton Jr. added buckets, the Bulls trailed Vermont 43-40 at halftime.
Brizzi began hot in the second half, scoring seven within the first few minutes after three layups and a free throw — but it was Freitag’s time. He scored 22 in the second half, finding the hoop from all angles — free throws, 3s, layups and a dunk. Brizzi, Freitag, and Sabol’s late game free throw action put the Bulls ahead of the Catamounts 94-90.
Brizzi’s 19, Freitag’s 33 and Sabol’s 13 were the main components behind the Bulls fifth win, and their first 5-0 start since the 2018-19 season. That season, under former Head Coach Nate Oats, Buffalo went 32-4, finishing No. 15 in the final AP Poll with a first round win over Arizona State in the NCAA Tournament.
The Bulls face the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) (3-2, 0-0 SoCon) next in Fort Myers, Florida in the Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off on Monday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m. EST.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
