BUFFALO, N.Y. (Nov. 22, 2024) — In the first meeting between the Bears and Bulls in nearly 30 years, it was a battle until the very end as Buffalo (3-3, 0-0 MAC) held on for an 82-73 win on Friday evening at Alumni Arena. Morgan State men's basketball team (3-4, 0-0 MEAC) fell short on the evening as Buffalo handed them their second straight road loss.
Tyson Dunn led the Bulls with a game-high 22 points as he was 9-for-13 from the floor. He also finished with eight assists, six rebounds and four steals in 33 minutes. Brayden Jackson recorded 18 points (8-11 FG) off the bench, and Ryan Sabon chipped in 12 (3-4 3FG).
Senior Kameron Hobbs scored a season-high 20 points off the bench on Friday evening. Amahrie Simpkins finished with 16 points (7-10 FG), with seven boards and three assists, while Wynston Tabbs chipped in 11 points and five rebounds.Â
The Bears perimeter defense held Buffalo to just 12-for-30 shooting in the first half, but the Bulls caught fire in the second half as they shot 76 percent (19-25) from the field, including 4 three-pointers.
The Bears entered the second half with energy, buoyed by their 36-31 halftime lead. Tabbs opened the second half with a 3-pointer and shortly after, he drove through the defense for a layup, expanding the Bears' lead to 41-31. Â
But Buffalo was far from done. The Bulls came out of the half on fire as they used an 18-5 run to flip the momentum. It was a thunderous dunk by Noah Batchelor that symbolized the Bulls' resurgence, lifting them to a narrow 56-55 lead.
Hobbs, who was a calming force all night for the Bears, buried a deep three to help Morgan retake the lead at 62-59, in what became a back and forth affair.
There were a total of 25 lead changes in the game.
Brayden Jackson scored on a jumper to tie the game at 65-65 with 4 minutes left to play.
A turnover and foul by Tabbs on the other end led to a pair of free throws by Bryson Wilson to go back up 67-65.
The Bulls extended their lead when Tyson Dunn scored on a short left hook to take a 69-65 lead with 3 minutes remaining. Morgan responded when Tabbs buried a straightaway 3-pointer. The Bears called timeout with 2:41 to go.
Simpkins hit a 3-pointer, his second of the night, to knot the game at 71-71 with 2 minutes left. However, the Bulls responded when Tyson Dunn connected on a 3-pointer to give his team a 74-71 lead with 1:44 to go.
Following a turnover by Hobbs who was called for a carry, Braydon Jackson scored on a left hand layup and was fouled. He ended up missing the free throw but got his own rebound. Batchelor fought on the glass for another big offensive board that resulted in Ben Michaels being fouled by Rob Lawson with 35.9 remaining. Michaels hit both of his free throws to extend the lead to 78-71.
Bryson Wilson collected a steal and scored on sweeping layup to help put the game away for the Bulls.
NEXT UP
The Bears will have a short turnaround when they host Towson (2-3, 0-0 MAC) on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 4Â p.m. at Hill Field House.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
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