Central Michigan University
Buffalo
CMU Downed By Buffalo 73-59
2/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2006
MOUNT PLEASANT - Buffalo poured in 10 three-pointers and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in a 73-59 victory at Central Michigan University on Saturday afternoon.
Three-point shooting was the difference as the Bulls nailed 50 percent of their long range shots (10-for-20) compared to CMU's 14 percent (3-for-22).
Buffalo snapped a four-game skid with the win while improving to 16-8 overall, 6-7 in the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas have now lost six straight since winning at Buffalo on Jan. 21. CMU is 3-18, 1-12 in the MAC.
Sefton Barrett scored a game-high 24 points for the Chippewas while pulling down nine rebounds and blocking three shots. Giordan Watson had 15 points, six assists and a career-high tying five steals.
The Chippewas jumped out to an early five-point lead just under four minutes into the game and the home team held a five-point advantage with 12:09 remaining before the half but Buffalo went on a 10-0 run after that. UB led 39-26 at the break with seven three-pointers to CMU's two.
In the second half, the Chippewas trimmed the Bulls' lead down to seven on a putback by Sefton Barrett with 11:24 remaining but that's as close as CMU could get.
Buffalo had five players in double figures with Calvin Cage leading the way with 17 points, including four treys. Preseason All-MAC East Division pick Yassin Idbihi had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds while Mario Jordan added 16 points.
The Bulls shook up their lineup giving Christian Schmidt, Andy Robinson and Eric Moore their first starts of the season and none of them scored. In fact, Idbihi was the only Buffalo starter to score with 61 of the Bulls' points coming off the bench.
The visitors won the battle of the boards, 37-28, and UB was 19-for-23 from the line compared to CMU's 10-for-16. Buffalo turned it over 21 times and CMU 20.
CMU is at home for two games next week, hosting Ball State on Wednesday (7 p.m.) and Morehead State on Saturday (2 p.m.).
NOTES:
- Justin Blevins' string of four straight double-figure games came to an end when he had just six points on 3-for-4 shooting.
- Three of Sefton Barrett's field goals were dunks, all alley oops.
- Sefton Barrett averaged 22.0 points in the two-game series with UB this season.
- The 14-point setback was CMU's worst home loss this season.
- Only three different players went to the line for CMU -- Sefton Barrett (6-for-9), Giordan Watson (3-for-4) and Eddie Spencer (1-for-3).
- Giordan Watson's six assists gives him seven straight games with at least five assists.
- Giordan Watson's five steals tied his career high which also came at home against Buffalo last season.
