HADLEY, Mass. (Interstat) — In a game defined by clutch performances and crucial stops, Angelo Brizzi scored 27 points and the Buffalo Bulls outlasted the Massachusetts Minutemen 86-82 in overtime on Saturday at Mullins Center.

The victory avenged a one-point home loss to Massachusetts just four weeks prior and snapped a two-game skid for Buffalo, which improved to 16-10 overall. Massachusetts fell to 15-13.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation and throughout the extra period. With the score tied at 68 and under 10 seconds to play in the second half, Massachusetts guard Marcus Banks missed a potential game-winning three-pointer. Jayden Ndjigue secured the offensive rebound for the Minutemen, but his put-back attempt was blocked by Buffalo’s Tim Oboh, sending the game to overtime.

Buffalo seized control immediately in the extra session. The Bulls scored the first seven points, a run ignited by Brizzi. The junior guard from Warrenton, Virginia, drove for a layup while being fouled and completed the three-point play, then moments later drained a three-pointer off an assist from Oboh to give Buffalo a 75-68 lead it would not relinquish.

Massachusetts, led by Banks’ 24 points and Leonardo Bettiol’s 21 points and four assists, fought back within a single possession multiple times. A three-pointer by Banks with 23 seconds left in overtime cut the deficit to 84-82. On the ensuing inbound play, Buffalo’s Derrick Talton Jr. was fouled and made both free throws to seal the victory.

The game was a tale of efficiency and opportunism. Despite shooting a lower percentage from the field (48.1% to 51.7%) and being outscored 34-26 in the paint, Buffalo leveraged its defensive pressure and sharp three-point shooting. The Bulls connected on 12 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc and forced 14 Massachusetts turnovers, converting them into 24 points. Massachusetts managed only 16 points off Buffalo’s nine turnovers.

Brizzi, Buffalo’s leading scorer, delivered his third consecutive standout performance, adding four assists. He was supported by double-figure efforts from Oboh, who had 15 points and key defensive plays, Noah Batchelor with 15 points, and Ryan Sabol, who posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.

For Massachusetts, Daniel Hankins-Sanford played all but one minute, finishing with 13 points, while Danny Carbuccia dished out eight assists. The Minutemen’s 11 offensive rebounds led to 13 second-chance points, but they were hampered by 13-of-22 shooting from the free throw line.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Massachusetts taking a 34-29 lead into the break behind 12 points from Banks. Buffalo responded with a 39-point second half, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

The win gives Buffalo momentum heading into a key Mid-American Conference road test at Akron on Tuesday. Massachusetts will look to rebound on the same night at Ball State.

An announced crowd of 5,096 at the Mullins Center watched the contest, which defied the pre-game statistical projection favoring the Minutemen.