Pierce scores 21, Betts has double-double to lead Buffalo to 73-55 win over Miami (Ohio)

Buffalo knocks off Miami (Ohio) 73-55

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rodney Pierce scored 21 points as Buffalo beat Miami (Ohio) 73-55 on Saturday in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.

Pierce hit three of the Bulls’ seven 3-pointers, and Calvin Betts had 11 points and 11 rebounds as Buffalo (8-4) won for the fifth time in six games.

The Bulls took a 9-1 lead on Betts’ jumper, then scored 11 of the next 15 points to take a 20-5 lead on Sean Smiley’s two free throws with 11:11 left in the first half.

Miami (3-11) cut the deficit to 36-33 on Julian Mavunga’s jumper with 15:52 left to play, but Titus Robinson’s two free throws pushed the lead to 49-39 with 10:29 left.

Max Boudreau added 11 points for Buffalo, which was playing for the first time since Dec. 30. The Bulls shot 63.6 percent from the field (14-for-22) in the second half.

Adam Fletcher scored 21 points to lead Miami, which was 2-for-14 on 3-point attempts.