Buffalo scores a big road win against Miami

Buffalo entered the day in a three way tie for fourth in the conference along with Bowling Green and Kent. The Flashes were unable to topple Ohio despite taking the Bobcats to overtime and Bowling Green is currently trailing thz Zips at Akron. Should Akron hold out UB will be all alone behind Akron, Ohio, and Western Michigan in the MAC post season standings.

Tony Watson once again was huge from beyond the arc and was the key shooter for Buffalo in the early going. While the rest of the roster limped along shooting just 7-20 Watson was 6-6 hitting four three pointers. He surged out of the gate with 16 points keeping the Bulls in the game despite Miami's over all shooting success sin the first half.

Drew McGee led Miami with 13 points as the Redhawks shot a blistering 63 percent from the floor in the first half. Despite their hot hand Miami was handcuffed by a large number of turnovers which caused five ties and six lead changes in the first half. UB went into halftime up 39-36

The close play would continue until Javon McCrea got hot in the second half helping UB take the lead for good at the 17 minute mark. Watson kicked off a 15-4 run a few minutes later which would give the Bulls a comfortable lead.

Miami climbed back into the game over the next tean minutes, aided in no small part by UB foul trouble. Around the seven minute Mark Javon McCrea would get his fourth foul and force UB's bench to try and hold off the RedHawk charge.

With a minute and a half left Miami cralwed back to wihin a point but Jarryn Skeete hit a pair of clutch free throws in a 1-and-1 to boost the lead to three. After Miami missed a would-be game tying three and Will Regan pulled down a rebound in traffic. He was fouled with 36 seconds to play and despite a shoulder he sunk both free throws to make it a 74-69 game.

Three point shot

Point 1 - Man on fire!

During Buffalo's current three game winning streak Tony Watson II has score 69 points, is shooting 63% from the floor, 63% from beyond the arc, has eight assist, eight rebounds, and has only turned the ball over twice. He has easily been Buffalo's best player and one of the only guys this year who has played well enough to take the focus off of Javon McCrea.

Point 2 - Credit where credit is due

The Bench let Miami run back into this game but never totally fell apart. When Javon McCrea had to site at the seven minute mark Miami had a great chance to play out a repeat of their big January comeback in Amherst. The Bench managed to play well enough to keep Buffalo ahead until the RedHawks were forced to start fouling UB.

Point 3 - Not looking a gift horse in the mouth

What do you do when a team sends you to the line for 25 shots? Hit 80% of them! Buffalo was a little more giving to Miami who had 28 free throw shots but Buffalo hit theirs shots at a higher clip and were clutch in the last 90 seconds.