Points in the Paint: Today in UB MAC Tournament History

March 11, 2005 - Men's MAC Semifinals - Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH - Buffalo 75, Western Michigan 68

A quick start gave UB a 20-12 lead with Mark Bortz scoring 8 of UB's first 22 points. However UB got into foul trouble and WMU ended the half on a 25-9 run. The WMU lead was extended to 11 with 15 minutes remaining, but momentum was turned by Yassin Idbihi's three pointer. A 14-2 run gave the Bulls a 1 point lead with 11 minutes remaining.

Dan Gilbert scored 13 in the second half and Idbihi scored 11 to put UB up late. Turner Battle put the game away by hitting 7 of 8 free throws late, which doubled his point total to 14. With the seven point victory, UB advanced to their first ever MAC Final, against the Ohio Bobcats.

This game is probably more remembered for being the "What is Buffalo Sucks?" than for a tight comeback win for Buffalo. I think this win legitimized Buffalo as a potential factor in the MAC.

March 11, 2009 - Women's MAC First Round - Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH - Buffalo 57, Northern Illinois 52

The 2009 Bulls started the season 4-3, then went on a twelve game losing streak. At 6-23, the Bulls entered the MAC tournament 2-8 in their previous 10 games. After fighting hard, UB went down 7 against NIU in the first half of their MAC first round game, and Bulls fans expected NIU to put the game away. However a 6-1 run was capped by a Brittany Hedderson tip-in with 1 second remaining to keep the Bulls within 2 at the half.

In the second half, NIU led the whole way, but could never get more than a two possession lead. Down 5 with 7 minutes to go, UB turned on the defense and ended the game on a 13-3 run. Brittany Hedderson scored 11, Jessica Fortman scored 16 with 8 rebounds, and Kourtney Brown almost messed around and finished 3 blocks short of a triple-double with 7 blocks, 13 rebounds and a game high 17 points.

UB advanced to the quarterfinals to face the 19-9 Golden Flashes who had beaten UB by an average of 18.5 points during the regular season.

March 11, 2013 - Men's MAC First Round - Alumni Arena, Buffalo, NY - Buffalo 74, Central Michigan 72

Unbeknownst to anyone, (except maybe the White Death) this was Reggie Witherspoon's final game at Alumni Arena. 2,309 fans were on hand to see a tight game that featured 14 lead changes.

Down 54-52 with 6 minutes remaining, UB went on a patented Reggie late run, outscoring the Chips 11-2. The 7 point lead evaporated as UB stumbled to put the game away: Nuiriankh missed a layup, Skeete missed a dunk, McCrea had two turnovers and Watson turned the ball over. Tony Watson however hit a big shot with 30 seconds remaining to give UB a three point lead. However, Kyle Randall answered with a 3-pointer to tie the game, and Tony Watson's attempt with time elapsed didn't fall in.

UB came out refocused in overtime. Nuiriankh blocked a Kyle Randall layup and McCrea scored to give the Bulls the early lead. On the next possesion, McCrea dunked the ball home to give UB a 4 point lead. Up 1 with 90 seconds to go, Nuiriankh blocked another Kyle Randall layup. Up three after McCrea free throws, UB fouled Kyle Randall instead of giving him the chance to tie the game with a three. The strategy paid off, and UB was able to eek out the victory 74-72.