Buffalo Sweeps Albany And Advances To Conference Championship

BUFFALO, NY -- On February 22nd, behind Tyrell Mitchell's 27 points and 8 rebounds and Nicc Johnson's 22 points and 9 rebounds, Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo (16-10) defeated Bryant & Stratton College - Albany (18-8) for the third time this season by a final score of 80-65 to advance to the conference finals.

Coming into the first game of the conference tournament riding a three-game win streak, the Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Bobcats were ranked fourth in the latest United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division I National Coaches Poll. However, to advance to the conference final, a familiar foe would be standing in their way, one that they would have to face for the third time in just two months. Bryant & Stratton College - Albany, aside from a couple of losses to Buffalo, had put together an impressive 18-8 season, and behind the sharp shooting of Reggie Perez averaging 17.7 points per game (ranked 7th in the USCAA), they were primed for a showdown in Villa Athletic Center at Villa Maria College.

In the first half, Albany would jump out to an early 10-2 lead with Buffalo looking a bit sluggish. Instead of Reggie Perez cutting up the defense and doing the scoring, it was his sibling, Kobbie Perez, who knocked down the first three pointer of the game and then another jump shot. Herman Suazo followed up with a jumper of his own and Albany was off and running. Buffalo would call a timeout to regroup.

Coming out of the Buffalo huddle emerged a new and more focused team. Working deep into the shot clock, Tyrell Mitchell drove the baseline and threw up an off-balance lob. The lob was caught in mid-air by Damone Brown Jr., who scored just before the buzzer sounded. Nicc Johnson got into the action, slicing to the basket for 2 of his 12 first-half points. Taijay Williams would also come off the bench with hot shooting and solid guard play. Williams went 2-2 from three-point range and shot 3-4 from the field to score 8 points. Mitchell would join in, stepping behind the three-point arch for 3 of his 12 points in the first half.

This small Buffalo run brought things pretty even between both teams. Kobbie and Reggie Perez continued to do their light work, scoring 8 points each before the break. In transition, Daiquane Sivels found himself open and also knocked down a couple of long three-point shots from beyond the arch. Sivels finished the first 20 minutes with 9 points, and after a good start, Herman Suazo, would contribute 6 points to the cause.

At halftime, the score was 44-39, Buffalo with a slight advantage.

In the second half, it was obvious that despite a slow start, Buffalo had awoke from their slumber. Though Albany had opened an early lead, Buffalo went to the locker room shooting 63% from the field and almost 40% from the three-point line after the first 20 minutes. It was obvious that two of Buffalo's most dangerous offensive threats were starting to get more involved, and in order to win the game, two things would need to happen. Albany would need to slow down Tyrell Mitchell and Nicc Johnson, and Reggie Perez needed to get going offensively.

Neither of those things happened for Albany.

In fact, Tyrell Mitchell went 5-6 from the field and 1-2 from the three point line to pour in another 15 points in the second half. He shot three pointers. He got out on the break numerous times, but on at least two occasions, he dunked the basketball and saluted the crowd. And if that wasn't enough, Nicc Johnson had his back. Johnson did about everything a basketball player could do to help his team. Johnson went 1-2 from the three point line and added 10 points, but he also snatched 2 steals and grabbed 5 rebounds in the second half. Williams came in and picked up where he left off, scoring a couple of nifty lay ups, one coming from a surprising give-and-go assist from Jordan Street.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo defense was smothering Reggie and Kobbie Perez. Reggie Perez scored 3 points and Kobbie Perez 2 points in the second half, going for a combined 2-15 from the field. Sivels did everything he could to keep his team in the game, but his 7 points weren't enough.

In the end, Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo defeated Bryant & Stratton College - Albany for the third time this season, improving their record on the year to 16-10. Tyrell Mitchell (ranked third in the USCAA in scoring) and Nicc Johnson (ranked fourth in the USCAA in scoring) continued to lift their team up in post-season play.

NEXT GAME

On Saturday, February 23rd, Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo takes on Villa Maria in the Conference Championship at Villa Athletic Center. The teams are split on the year, going 1-1 in regular season play, Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo taking the first game early in the year on the Viking's home court, and Villa Maria beating the Bobcat's at Burt Flickinger Athletic Center, just weeks ago. Villa Maria is ranked second in the current USCAA Coaches Poll for USCAA Division II men's basketball, while Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo is ranked fourth in USCAA Division I men's basketball. Tip off is 2pm. Admission is free.

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