Buffalo overcomes midgame slump, prevails in overtime

Buffalo controlled the game most of hte first half, Akron controlled the game most of the second half, but in overtime Buffalo was clutch as the Bulls earned their fifth trip to the MAC championship game in the last seven years.

At one point, late in the first half, Buffalo took a 10 point lead, Akron was able to chip away ending the half down only five to Buffalo.

The Bulls success was built on keeping the Zips cold from outside the arc. But in the second half Akron heated up and the Bulls shooting fell completely off the map. With that, despite some solid defense, Akron was able to flip the script and build up a 6 point lead with 10 minutes left.

Jeenathan Williams hist a critical three with five minutes and Josh Mballa hit a putback on the next possession to get Buffalo the lead. From there the teams traded blows the rest of the game.

At one point, in the last minute, UB built a four point lead and had possession but Akron managed to tied the game, on a tip in no less, with 1 seconds left. When the Zips missed a last second shot Buffalo went to overtime in a MAC championship game for the second time.

In overtime Buffalo exploded. WIlliams scored seven points and the defense kept Akron cold. UB rattled off seven quick points before Akron was able to score. UB costed the rest of the period.

Josh Mballa had 16 points and and a career record 20 rebounds, despite playing much of the second half in foul trouble. The MAC defensive player of the year has 39 rebounds through 2 games in Cleveland.

Williams scored 26 points, Ronoldo Segu drained 18, and Graved netted a dozen points.

Buffalo takes on Ohio for the conference title and a trip to the NCAA tournament tonight.