BIG 4 BASKETBALL
UB zaps Zips on Betts’ layup
AKRON, Ohio — Calvin Betts’ layup with 27 seconds left gave the University at Buffalo a 63-61 victory over Akron in a men’s Mid-American Conference basketball game Tuesday night in Rhodes Arena.
The Bulls (9-5 overall) evened their MAC record to 1-1 and snapped a four-game losing streak against the Zips and won for only the second time ever in Rhodes.
Betts made a back-door cut and scored the winner off a feed by Rodney Pierce after Vadim Fedotov had grabbed a key offensive rebound with 35 seconds left.
“[Pierce] called the play twice,” UB coach Reggie Witherspoon said. “We didn’t get it the first time but he went back to it.
“This is one you cherish because we won on a night when nothing went well.”
The Bulls held Akron to just one field goal in the last 13 minutes and owned a 55-48 lead with nine minutes left but the Zips hit 13 of 14 free throws to close the gap and take two narrow leads.
UB led, 35-33, at halftime. Betts led UB with 14 points and freshman forward Titus Robinson had 12, including his first two career three-point baskets.
Chris McKnight had 16 points and his brother, Brett, had 12 for Akron.
UB’s Jan. 31 home game against Toledo has been rescheduled from 7 p. m. to noon so the contest can be televised on ESPN2. It will mark only the second time in school history a home men’s basketball game will air on national television. UB defeated Ball State on ESPN2 on Feb. 12, 2005.
The start time for the UB women’s game against Western Michigan that day also has been changed. Originally scheduled to tip off at 5 p. m., the Bulls will face the Broncos immediately after the men’s game.
Today’s games
Saint Joseph’s has won the last 13 games in its Atlantic 10 rivalry with St. Bonaventure by an average of 18.5 points. The teams will engage in the first of their two meetings this season at the Reilly Center (Radio 1300, 95.7 FM, 7 p. m.). The Bonnies (10-5, 1-1) are coming off a loss to Duquesne. Saint Joseph’s (7-7, 1-0) won its A-10 opener over Rhode Island, 92-86, in three overtimes and has not lost to Bona since 2000.
The UB women (4-11, 0-2 MAC) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak against MAC rival Kent State (11-3, 0-2) at Alumni Arena (7 p. m.).
Sophomore Kourtney Brown (15.2) leads the Bulls in scoring.
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