Today in UB MAC Tournament History

March 6, 2006 - Men's MAC First Round - Alumni Arena, Buffalo NY - Buffalo 80, Ball State 72

The 2005-2006 Bulls team had the tough task of continuing momentum after the legendary 2004-2005 team finished just short of winning the MAC. Buffalo finished the season in 8th place at 18-12 and hosted the #9 Ball State Cardinals. Although the 05-06 team did not live up to the standards of their predecessors, they started a new athletics tradition, beating Ball State in the postseason.

UB defeated Ball State at home in the regular season by 11, but fell in Indiana by 7. The Bulls delighted the 5,129 in attendance by showing the potential UB had to make a deep run in the MAC Tournament. Buffalo used 15 points off turnovers to build a 16 point lead at the half. The team was led by Calvin Cage who scored 19 points on 5 for 6 three point shooting.

In the second half, the Bulls tortured the UB faithful with a reenactment of the 2005 MAC Tournament final. With 11 minutes remaining in the 2nd half, the lead that at its highest was 20, had fallen to 4. Back to back three pointers by Roderick Middleton put the lead back up to 12 but with a minute remaining, Ball State was back to within 4.

Ball State couldn't cover Calvin Cage, (who could?) and was forced to foul him in the final minute. Cage hit six consecutive free throws and Yassin "The Dream" Idbihi put the final exclamation point on the UB victory with a dunk to give UB a 79-72 lead with 15 seconds remaining. UB won the game 80-72.

Idbihi had a rough game with 9 points and 7 turnovers, but Cage saved the Bulls with 30 points. The Bulls win earned them a trip to Cleveland but were defeated by #1 and eventual champions Kent State.

March 5, 2011 - Women's MAC First Round - Alumni Arena, Buffalo NY - Buffalo 82, Ball State 73

The 15-14 #6 Bulls took on the 9-21 #11 Ball State Cardinals. Buffalo took a 7 point lead into halftime behind 13 points from Kourtney Brown. In the second half, Ball State shot 61% from the field and 56% from three as they gave Buffalo all they could handle.

With five and a half minutes remaining Ball State cut the UB lead to 1 at 64-63, when UB's stars led the team on an 18-10 run to finish the game, a 82-73 UB victory.

Buffalo maintained their lead due to a plus 14 turnover rate fueled by 12 steals. UB's stars refused to lose scoring 35 of UB's 44 points in the 2nd half. Brown grabbed 7 boards and scored 14 in the 2nd, while Jessica Fortman and Brittany Hedderson scored 11 and 10 respectively.