CLEVELAND - Defensive toughness has been the calling card of the University at Buffalo and Ball State University men's basketball teams all season, and each advanced to the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament based on it.
The two teams will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Quicken Loans Arena after the Cardinals outlasted Central Michigan University 64-61 in overtime and the Bulls pulled out a 65-62 defeat of Kent State University.
Each team iced its quarterfinals victory Thursday after coming up with steals late in the game. Ball State's sophomore forward Malik Perry picked off a pass with 11.4 seconds left in overtime, while Buffalo senior guard Andy Robinson knocked a pass off Kent State's Al Fisher with five seconds left.
Golden Flashes coach Geno Ford said Buffalo's rugged play was the difference.
"They out-toughed us at the goal down the stretch," Ford said.
Buffalo was led by forward Max Boudreau who had a game-high 13 points off the bench. Kent State's junior guard Chris Singletary also had 13 points before he fouled out.
Bulls guard Calvin Betts chipped in 11 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. As a team, Buffalo out-rebounded the Golden Flashes 40-32 and held Kent State to a 38.2 shooting percentage.
Ball State won its only meeting with Buffalo this season, 53-51 in Muncie.
"The first matchup was intense," coach Billy Taylor said. "We need to rev it up defensively."
Buffalo is attempting to win its first MAC Tournament title, but will first concentrate on Ball State.
"We need to play with more determination and energy," Buffalo coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "They worked hard to get the win against us. They're really good."
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