Pierce scores 27, including 11 in 2nd half run to lift Buffalo past Eastern Michigan 84-67

Pierce sparks Buffalo past Eastern Michigan 84-67

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rodney Pierce scored 27 points and Buffalo defeated Eastern Michigan 84-67 on Wednesday night.

The Bulls (13-9, 6-5 Mid-American Conference) led 42-39 at halftime, and outscored the Eagles 15-4 to open the second half. Pierce scored 11 points during the run, which was capped by Max Boudreau’s layup for a 57-43 lead with 13:07 left.

Buffalo shot 73.9 percent in the second half (17 of 23), and led by as much as 69-51 on Pierce’s jump shot with 6:17 remaining.

Mitchell Watt scored 14 points for the Bulls, who won their third straight against Eastern Michigan (12-12, 4-7).

The Eagles shot 92.9 percent from the free throw line (13 of 14) and 52.2 percent from the field (24 of 46).

Brandon Bowdry scored a career-high 26 points in 24 minutes to lead Eastern Michigan. Carlos Medlock added 14 points and Antonio Green 12 for the Eagles.