BSC - Buffalo Bobcats Get Second Home Win

BUFFALO, NY -- In a city where most most people look to Sunday for head-rocking tackles and diving catches across the middle, one of the more electrifying battles might have been happening, not on the football field, but on the basketball court.

In just the second game of the season, the BSC - Buffalo Bobcats squared off against the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals. 

Returning three veteran contributors from last year's squad -- Johnathon Caldwell, Troy Williams, and Jarid Walton -- the Bengals came into Burt Flickinger Athletic Center with, not just solid experience, but an attitude to match. It was just three minutes into the first half when Walton punctuated this feeling with a put back dunk that sucked the air out of the room. Then, it was Caldwell with a floating jump shot in the lane and Troy Williams with a transition lay up. 

Coach Damone Brown called a time out. 

In a lightning quick sequence of events, the Bengals had opened an early lead and didn't show many signs of slowing down. 

However, not to be outdone, Buffalo's Nicc Johnson and Jordan Street went to work. First, it was Street down low, bumping and banging his way into the lane to score. When the defense started to collapse on Street, Johnson squared his shoulders, moved to an open spot on the perimeter, and began delivering behind the arc. Kevin Ford joined the action, penetrating, drawing the defense, and dishing out some assists, and by halftime, the score was Bengals 40 and Bobcats 41. 

As the second half began, the Bengals came out ready to go, this time behind Kwame Oduro. Oduro's plan looked strategic. Get to the paint, draw some contact, and get to the freethrow line. And, for a while, it looked like it was working.

Oduro went 8-8 from the line and finished with 19 points. 

But, all of that would change once the Bobcat's began turning their defense into offense. Tyrell Mitchell got out in the open floor. After a slow first half, he finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Damone Brown Jr. chipped in a double double: 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Johnson and Street picked up where they left off; Johnson pouring in 31 points and Street adding 14 points.

Kevin Ford and Taijay Williams unselfishly dished out assist after assist. Ford finished with an impressive 9 assists, and Wiliams, playing on a hurt ankle, returned to form with 4 assists in just 18 minutes of play. 

All in all, Buffalo would outscore their opponent 55-34 in the second half. Fort Kent's Jarid Walton would finish with a contained 14 points and 8 rebounds. Caldwell ended up with 11 points and 2 rebounds. And, consequently, the Bengals would fall short to the Bobcats in a contest that felt closer than what the scoreboard would read, Bobcats 96 and Fort Kent 74. 

After two home games, and under the tutelage and teachings of new coach Damone Brown, the BSC - Buffalo Bobcats have started the season with two impressive wins. The team won't play again until November 16th at Alfred State.