ATHENS (AP) — Nick Perkins scored 20 points, Ikenna Smart and Jeremy Harris posted double-doubles and Buffalo remained unbeaten in the Mid-American Conference with a 73-66 win over Ohio on Friday night, the Bulls’ ninth straight victory.
Perkins reached 1,004 career points, Smart had 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds and Harris 17 points and 10 boards for the Bulls (16-5, 8-0), who have won eight consecutive conference games for the first time since 2011-12.
Teyvion Kirk had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats (9-11, 2-6).
Buffalo led the entire way and was ahead by 14 after Ohio went without a field goal over 8 1/2 minutes spanning the halves. Ohio made several runs at the Bulls and trailed 68-63 after a four-point play by Mike Laster with 1:35 left. But the Bulls then made 5 of 7 free throws while Ohio made only 1 of 6 shots with two turnovers.
BUFFALO 73, OHIO 66
BUFFALO (16-5)
Smart 5-6 0-0 10, Clark 1-6 3-5 5, Massinburg 3-8 2-2 11, Harris 7-15 1-2 17, Jordan 1-7 1-2 4, Perkins 8-11 3-4 20, McRae 0-3 1-2 1, Graves 2-4 0-0 5, Caruthers 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 27-64 11-17 73.
OHIO (9-11)
Taylor 1-5 2-4 4, Kirk 7-16 2-2 18, Dartis 3-10 4-4 11, Laster 4-12 1-1 11, Block 2-8 4-8 8, Mickle 4-10 2-3 11, Butler 0-1 0-0 0, Gollon 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 22-65 15-22 66.
3-Point Goals—Buffalo 8-28 (Massinburg 3-6, Harris 2-6, Perkins 1-2, Graves 1-2, Jordan 1-5, Clark 0-2, McRae 0-2, Caruthers 0-3), Ohio 7-21 (Kirk 2-2, Laster 2-6, Gollon 1-2, Mickle 1-2, Dartis 1-6, Block 0-3). Fouled Out—Kirk, Smart. Rebounds—Buffalo 49 (Smart 14), Ohio 34 (Kirk 10). Assists—Buffalo 12 (Clark, Caruthers 3), Ohio 11 (Block 4). Total Fouls—Buffalo 22, Ohio 18. A—6,470 (13,080).