UB Bulls Defeated by Ball State Tuesday Night

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team (2-16, 1-5 MAC) was defeated by the Ball State Cardinals (9-9, 2-5 MAC) Tuesday night. The Bulls fell to 1-5 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play after five consecutive losses. The ticket office invited all graduate students to attend Tuesday night’s game for free. The crowd at Alumni Arena was lively as students returned for the spring semester. 

The Bulls were off to an amazing start the first half with an 11-0 run. The Cardinals came back fiercely with their own run, but senior forward Sy Chatman advanced with a three-pointer securing a 16-10 lead. Lots of whistles throughout the first half as both teams became very competitive. Senior shooter Isaiah Adams tied the game 20-20 with 9 minutes left in the first half. Ball State was unrelentless the remainder of the first, with a 45-31 lead at halftime. 

Throughout the second half the Bull’s lost momentum and Ball State continued to take the lead, scoring the first basket. Buffalo fought back to cut the lead to 59-44, but Ball State prevailed. The Cardinals called a time out with 1:15 left in the second and finished the game 85-59. While Sy Chatman led all players with 27 points, senior forward Jonnivius Smith held a game high 7 rebounds. 

UB’s next game is away at Eastern Michigan (8-11, 1-6 MAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The Bulls will return to Alumni Arena Feb. 2 to take Kent State.