CATONSVILLE, Md. (Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth affair that came down to the final possession, the Buffalo Bulls edged the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers 83-79 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at the Retriever Activities Center.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 845, was a tale of two halves defined by momentum swings and pivotal plays in the closing minutes. Buffalo improved to 9-1 on the season, while UMBC fell to 6-4.

The first half was an offensive showcase, with both teams trading baskets and the lead changing hands multiple times. UMBC, fueled by the hot shooting of Jah’Likai King and Caden Diggs, took a narrow 43-39 advantage into the break. King had 14 of his 19 points before halftime, while Diggs added 10. Buffalo stayed close behind the interior dominance of Tim Oboh, who scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the opening period.

The second half saw Buffalo methodically chip away at the deficit. A key sequence occurred just past the midway point of the half. With UMBC leading 62-60, Buffalo’s Ezra McKenna connected on a critical 3-pointer off an assist from Ryan Sabol to give the Bulls a one-point lead, part of a larger 7-0 run that shifted the game’s momentum.

UMBC refused to fade, answering with a 7-0 run of its own, capped by a Caden Diggs 3-pointer assisted by Ace Valentine, to reclaim a 72-69 lead with just over four minutes to play. The final minutes evolved into a pressure-packed exchange of free throws and crucial defensive stops.

The most important stretch of the game unfolded in the last 35 seconds. With Buffalo clinging to an 81-79 lead after two Daniel Freitag free throws, UMBC had a chance to tie or take the lead. On the ensuing possession, Buffalo’s Angelo Brizzi stripped UMBC’s DJ Armstrong near midcourt with 20 seconds remaining, a critical defensive play that prevented the Retrievers from setting up a final shot.

Buffalo’s Mikhail Pocknett was then fouled and calmly sank both free throws with five seconds left to extend the lead to four points. UMBC’s last-gasp attempts, a missed layup by Jah’Likai King and a missed 3-pointer by Ace Valentine as time expired, sealed the victory for the visiting Bulls.

Beyond Oboh’s 19 points, Buffalo was led by Daniel Freitag’s 17 points and six rebounds, with several key free throws down the stretch. Ezra McKenna provided a vital spark off the bench with 13 points. For UMBC, Caden Diggs and Jah’Likai King each scored 19 points, while Ace Valentine filled the stat sheet with 15 points and six assists. Josh Odunowo contributed eight points and seven rebounds.

The game was a statistical near-draw in many categories. Buffalo held slim advantages in points in the paint (40-36), points off turnovers (13-12), and fast-break points (11-10). The Bulls’ ability to execute in the final minute, highlighted by Brizzi’s steal and Pocknett’s clutch free throws, proved to be the ultimate difference.

Buffalo, which entered as a narrow pregame favorite, overcame a halftime deficit to secure the road win. The combined score of 162 points surpassed the pregame over/under line of 147.5. The victory marked a bounce-back for Buffalo after a loss to Saint Bonaventure in its previous outing, while UMBC saw a two-game winning streak snapped.

Buffalo next travels to face East Carolina on Sunday. UMBC returns to action at home against Army on Friday.