Buffalo Bulls Doubleheader of Games (Mens/Womens)

Buffalo Bulls guard Angelo Brizzi playing defense in Saturday's afternoon action against the Central Michigan Chippewas.

By Christopher Drummond

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball returned home Saturday afternoon hoping to defend their floor, but a second-half rally fell short in a 75-70 loss to the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Buffalo came out with purpose, establishing its presence early in the paint. Starting center Tim Oboh scored the first six of the Bulls’ opening eight points, helping the hosts control the tempo through the first eight minutes. The Bulls held a slim lead midway through the first half but failed to capitalize.

Central Michigan gradually seized control, turning physicality and rebounding dominance into momentum. The Chippewas erased Buffalo’s advantage, took an 18-16 lead, and closed the half on a 16-10 run to carry a 34-26 cushion into the locker room.

The rebounding disparity told the story of the opening 20 minutes. Central Michigan grabbed 22 boards in the first half alone — nearly matching Buffalo’s 26 points. The Bulls also struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 2-for-11 from three-point range while collecting only nine rebounds before halftime.

The start of the second half brought more of the same. The Chippewas continued to control the glass and extended their lead to 49-33, forcing Buffalo to burn an early timeout.

Then, the Bulls responded.

Fueled by defensive pressure and energy from the home crowd, Buffalo ignited a 24-11 run. Ryan Sabol and Angelo Brizzi led the charge, capitalizing on turnovers and finding rhythm offensively. The surge cut what was once a 16-point deficit down to just three, bringing the arena to life.

With 90 seconds remaining and Central Michigan clinging to its narrow lead, Buffalo forced a critical turnover. Sabol had a clean look from three that would have tied the game, but the shot rimmed out. The Chippewas held firm down the stretch, converting 9-of-12 free throws in the final moments to secure the victory.

Despite a much stronger second-half effort, Buffalo was ultimately undone on the boards. Central Michigan finished with a 39-23 rebounding advantage.

Sabol led the Bulls with 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers. Brizzi added 16 points, 12 of which came in the second half. For the Chippewas, Tamario Adley poured in a game-high 21 points to anchor the win.

After the game, Buffalo head coach George Halcovage expressed frustration with missed opportunities.

“We're obviously disappointed,” Halcovage said. “I thought we came out of the gate really well for the first eight minutes. Unfortunately, we did not extend the lead, and we let them back into the game. We did not match their physicality. I would like to see us learn how to extend leads. We get them but just don’t extend them. I’d like for us to do that before we get down rather than have to start doing it.”

Buffalo will look to regroup quickly as it closes out its home slate Tuesday night against Eastern Michigan. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

Buffalo Bulls guard Gabby McDuffie huddling up with teammates in Saturday's contest against the Toledo Rockets

McDuffie’s Career Night Lifts Buffalo Bulls women's basketball Past Toledo Rockets women's basketball, 69–66, on Senior Night

On a night built for celebration, Gabby McDuffie delivered a performance worthy of the moment.

With family, friends, and a roaring home crowd behind her, the Buffalo native poured in a career-high 18 points to power the Bulls to a thrilling 69–66 victory over Toledo on Senior Night. The win marked Buffalo’s first conference triumph of the season and their third overall — but more importantly, it was a testament to grit, resilience, and belief.

A Sluggish Start, A Defensive Stand

The Bulls stumbled out of the gate, managing just 10 points in a rocky first quarter as shots refused to fall. What kept them within striking distance was a suffocating zone defense that limited Toledo to 14 points and prevented the game from slipping away early.

That defensive backbone set the stage for a second-quarter surge.

McDuffie Ignites the Rally

McDuffie caught fire in the second period, scoring 10 of her 18 points and injecting life into the offense. Buffalo doubled its first-quarter output with 22 points in the frame, while holding Toledo to 14 once again. By halftime, the Bulls had flipped the momentum and carried a 32–28 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter evolved into a tense chess match. Neither side led by more than two points, trading baskets and defensive stops in a back-and-forth battle that had the crowd on edge.

Then came the spark.

With time expiring in the third, guard Paula Lopez launched a desperation heave from half court. The shot banked in at the buzzer, sending the arena into a frenzy and giving Buffalo a two-point advantage heading into the final quarter. Teammates mobbed Lopez as the crowd erupted in disbelief.

Holding the Line

Toledo refused to fold.

The Rockets opened the fourth quarter on a run, reclaiming the lead and silencing the home crowd. A timeout steadied the Bulls, and seniors McDuffie and Aniya Rowe answered the call.

Rowe matched McDuffie with 18 points of her own, attacking the basket and delivering in clutch moments. Together, the duo fueled a late surge that put Buffalo back on top — this time for good.

Still, drama lingered.

With 11 seconds remaining and no timeouts, Toledo inbounded the ball with a chance to tie. A contested three-pointer found the net, momentarily stunning the arena. But officials reviewed the play and ruled the shot no good, sealing the 69–66 victory and unleashing a wave of relief and celebration.

More Than a Win

Head coach Kristen Sharkey praised her team’s resolve after the game.

“This is about a team that always will keep fighting and never quit,” Sharkey said. “This is about the sisterhood that we’ve built, and these relationships will last much longer than just in basketball. Buffalo is a city that is built on toughness and tough people; it just is.”

For McDuffie, the night carried special meaning.

“I think the confidence that my teammates give me is incredible,” she said. “My teammate Liza just told me to go out there and do your thing. It is just honestly a blessing to play and represent Buffalo. I love this city. I was born and raised here. I am so grateful for the opportunity to play here.”

On a night honoring seniors, it was only fitting that a hometown star authored the defining chapter.

Buffalo returns to action Wednesday evening for a 6 p.m. road matchup against Northern Illinois, looking to build on the momentum and make it two straight.