Sports - The Spectrum

Senior Pitcher Alexis Lucyshyn takes a swing during a 2021 game.

SPORTS

Softball earns first MAC win of season against Toledo

By KAYA SCHULTZ | Mar. 26

After falling short earlier in the day, softball secured a win in a double header against the Toledo Rockets.

SPORTS

Hoose goes 1-2 at NCAA wrestling nationals

By JAMES HOOK | Mar. 18

Hoose, the only wrestler to represent UB at nationals, finished out the season with a 21-9 record.

Mia (left) and Toni Naccarella (right) have been swimming competitively together for 15 years.

SPORTS

‘We kept climbing the ladder’: UB’s Naccarella sisters say goodbye to 15 years of swimming together

By AMY MASLIN | Mar. 15

The Naccarella sisters have been competitively swimming together for the past 15 years. The Bulls’ second-place finish at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) swimming and diving championship last month marked their last meet together.

Lewis signed with the Bills in 2019 as an undrafted free agent and has bounced back and forth between the practice squad and active roster the past few seasons.

SPORTS

Buffalo Bills re-sign former UB product Cam Lewis

By BRANDON COCHI | Mar. 15

Lewis was a starting cornerback for the Bulls from 2015-18 and recorded five interceptions, 27 passes defended, three forced fumbles and 155 total tackles in his 44 career games with UB.

UB will pay Jim Whitesell $500,000 to terminate his contract after he was fired Saturday.

SPORTS

UB to pay Jim Whitesell $500,000 buyout

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Mar. 15

Former UB men’s basketball head coach Jim Whitesell will receive a $500,000 contract buyout after being fired by the university.

Jonathan Surdej (left) and Christina Wende (right) both won gold medals at the indoor track and field MAC Championships.

SPORTS

Track and field gold medalists reflect on success and look ahead to outdoor season

By RYAN TANTALO | Mar. 15

Wende — a fifth-year hurdle/high jumper who won her first gold medal in the long jump as well as a silver medal in the triple jump at the 2023 Mid-American Conference (MAC) indoor track and field championships — and Surdej — a senior thrower who won his fifth gold medal at the conference championships — strive for more than just a first place finish.

UB has begun a national search to find its next men's basketball coach after Jim Whitesell was fired Saturday.

SPORTS

5 potential candidates for UB’s next men’s basketball coach

By BRANDON COCHI | Mar. 14

UB’s men’s basketball program is now in the market for a new head coach after former Bulls head coach Jim Whitesell was fired Saturday.

Senior pitcher Alexis Lucyshyn was one of four Bulls to score runs at the Red Raider Classic.

SPORTS

Softball caps off Red Raider Classic with win over Manhattan

By JAMES HOOK | Mar. 14

The Bulls finished the weekend with a 1-4 record.

UB failed to make the NCAA Tournament in four years under Jim Whitesell.

SPORTS

UB fires head basketball coach Jim Whitesell after four seasons

By HAYDEN AZZINARO | Mar. 11

UB has parted ways with head men’s basketball coach Jim Whitesell after four seasons, the school announced Saturday.

Women’s basketball fell just short to No. 1 seed Toledo in the first round of the MAC Tournament Wednesday.

SPORTS

‘You saw the best of Buffalo basketball’: Women’s basketball takes No. 1 Toledo to overtime, falls by one in MAC quarterfinal

By RYAN TANTALO | Mar. 8

The Bulls came in as the No. 8 seed, finishing the regular season with three straight wins to clinch a spot in the conference tournament.

UB guard Curtis Jones has made an impact as the team’s leading scorer this season.

SPORTS

‘It’s definitely good to come out of nowhere, because you open more eyes that way’

By BRANDON COCHI | Mar. 8

How sophomore guard Curtis Jones has become the Bulls' leading scorer this season.

Jonathan Surdej and Christina Wende led UB to an eight-medal performance at the MAC indoor track and field championships.

SPORTS

Two Bulls win gold at MAC indoor track championship

By RYAN TANTALO | Mar. 8

Track and field took home eight medals at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) indoor track and field championships, which took place Feb. 24-25 at Bowling Green University’s Perry Field House.

Senior pitcher Alexis Lucyshyn threw a complete game shutout in the Bulls' second match of the double header against Presbyterian College.

SPORTS

Softball goes 2-2 in PC Invitational

By MICHAEL VACCARO | Mar. 5

Softball (5-12) traveled to Clinton, South Carolina this weekend to compete in the PC Invitational, hosted by Presbyterian College. The Bulls went 2-2 and now hold a record of 5-12.

Senior guard Jazmine Young ended the game with 11 points.

SPORTS

Women’s basketball clinches spot in MAC Tournament with win over Western Michigan

By JOE OMILIAN | Mar. 5

Women’s basketball (12-15, 7-11 MAC) defeated Western Michigan (12-17, 7-11 MAC) 72-67 Saturday, putting them above the Broncos in the Mid-American Conference standings and earning them the No. 8 seed in the MAC Tournament.

The Bulls travel to Cleveland, Ohio next week for the MAC Tournament.

SPORTS

Men’s basketball rallies for revenge win over Miami (OH)

By EVAN HILBERT and TOM DOLCIOTTO | Mar. 4

Men’s basketball (15-16, 9-9 MAC) defeated Miami (OH) (12-19, 6-12 MAC) 68-63 on Friday night at Alumni arena, securing the Bulls the No. 6 seed in the MAC Tournament.

UB now has a chance to clinch a spot in the MAC Tournament after winning their last two games.

SPORTS

Women’s basketball outmatches Akron in must-win game

By HAYDEN AZZINARO | Mar. 3

Women’s basketball pulled off another upset win Wednesday, defeating No. 6-seed Akron 64-50. A win over Western Michigan on Saturday would guarantee the Bulls a spot in the MAC Tournament.

Senior forward LaQuill Hardnett was responsible for UB’s “Gun Violence Awareness Night” on Feb. 21.

SPORTS

LaQuill Hardnett uses personal tragedy to advocate for gun violence awareness

By HAYDEN AZZINARO and RYAN TANTALO | Mar. 1

LaQuill Hardnett just got home from basketball practice when he learned that his childhood friend, Brishaun Lamar Hall, was shot and killed.

James Patterson, who’s been a starter at UB since 2018, thrives as a run defender between the tackles.

SPORTS

2023 NFL Draft profile: James Patterson

By BRANDON COCHI | Mar. 1

Here’s what Patterson, who hopes to become the first UB player drafted in two years (since Malcolm Koonce, 79th overall in 2021), brings to the table as a draft prospect.

UB’s non-conference schedule features games against Wisconsin, Fordham, Liberty and Louisiana next season.

SPORTS

UB football announces 2023 opponents

By BRANDON COCHI | Mar. 1

UB football recently announced its full schedule for the upcoming season, and it features some formidable non-conference opponents.

Curtis Jones scored 21 points in UB’s road victory against Northern Illinois Tuesday.

SPORTS

Men’s basketball defeats Northern Illinois, 85-75

By JOE OMILIAN | Mar. 1

The Bulls (14-16, 8-9 MAC) traveled to Northern Illinois (12-18, 8-9 MAC) and earned their second victory of the season over the Huskies, 85-75.