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For the first time in weeks the Bulls looked focused on the courts. While it's true that the Bobcats may be a step below what UB saw in the MAC tournament it was still a late notice road game. The Bulls came out slow but left Quinnipiac far behind after a solid surge early in the second half.
The two teams spent most of the first half trading leads as neither team was able to build a lead greater than three until Jarod Oldham nailed a layup at the buzzer to send UB into the half up by three. Both teams blew numerous chances from the line as UB went 66% from the line while Quinnipiac want a paltry 6-12.
Mitchell Watt took over early in the second half scoring five points in the first two minutes and drawing a foul on Jamee Jackson. That spark helped ignite some of UB's other shooters as the team went from 30% shooting in the first half to 52% shooting in the second half.
The Difference Was:
Free throw shooting: If Quinnipiac shoots 65% from the line they go into the last two minutes of the game down by five instead of by seven. In the first half the Cat's passed up several opportunities to take the lead due to poor play at the line.
Maybe more important than how bad Quinnipiac shot was how few times they got to the line. The Bulls eighteen fouls meant the Bobcats took just 20 shots as opposed to UB's 26.
Player of the Game:
Mitchell Watt: Watt's run early in the second was huge but his play throughout the game was solid. Five of nine from the field, six of seven from the line, six rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
Nice to see:
Jarod Oldham show up so well. Oldham might factor in a big way next season and he really came through tonight. Eight points in seventeen minutes, five rebounds, one block, and one steal.
Not so nice to see:
Mulkey continues to struggle. Just three of twelve shooting though he did do a good job dishing it to his teammates with six assist.
Whats Next:
The CIT reseeds after each round. If the top seeds all win they sit out and some of the lower teams are still in. Geographically the closest teams might be Rider, Ohio, and WMU. Rider being a higher seed will likely host a game, it would be borderline cruel for the CIT to pair up UB with another MAC team. Fingers crossed for rider.