Little's 28 Not Enough as Bobcats Drop Nail-Biter at Clarion

CLARION, PA - DJ Little delivered another career performance on Tuesday, scoring 28 points, but the Bobcats fell just short in a hard-fought, nail-biting contest at Clarion University 87-81 on Tuesday night. The Bobcats showed tremendous heart and fight as they took on the NCAA Division II foe on the road for the second time in three years, outscoring them 46-42 over the final 20 minutes. It marks the first loss of the season for Buffalo who had opened the season with back-to-back dominating home victories.

The Bobcats led the game early, grabbing a 16-11 advantage and 21-16 advantage midway through the first half. Clarion regained the lead 25-23 with 8:34 to play after Little was whistled for a very questionable second foul. The Golden Eagles were able to push that advantage to as many as 11 over the next few minutes, and after Buffalo had pulled to within seven, Mekhi Reynolds connected on a buzzer-beating three to make it 45-35 at half. Reynolds scored 20 in the first half for Clarion.

Gerald Jarmon hit back-to-back triples to open the second half for Clarion as they pushed the lead to as many as 13. After fighting back to get within four thanks to a spark off the bench from junior Victor Caldwell, Clarion was able to take control once again and lead 67-55 with under 10 minutes left after a two-hand jam by Fray Nguimbi. But Buffalo would not go away as they chipped away at the lead over the next six minutes.

It was then that Clarion got timely baskets and pushed the lead back to double-figures, 78-68 with just 3:54 left. Kalon Kimble answered with two of his 16 points on the ensuing possession and Little hit two free throws to cut the deficit to six moments later. It was Jarmon that hit another big three to swing the momentum back to the home team, but six straight points for Buffalo saw them make it a one possession game with 89 seconds left. After 20 seconds of solid defense on the next possession, Jarmon hit a tough 15-foot pull up jumper and followed it with a three plus the foul to ice the game. 

Little finished with six rebounds, two steals, and no turnovers to go along with his 28 points. He leads the nation in scoring, netting 25 points per game this year. Kimble had his first double-double of the season as well, scoring 16 points and securing 13 rebounds. Junior Sam Dorissaint scored 15 points as well to go along with six boards. Davon Ware struggled from the floor, but finished with a complete game, compiling 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Joshua Foote had another strong game for Buffalo as he made his third start of the season, finishing with six points.

Buffalo out-rebounded Clarion 50-40 and committed just nine turnovers to the home team's 12. Clarion was able to shoot 13-of-26 from three though which ultimately was the difference. The Bobcats managed to shoot just 3-of-20 from long range.

UP NEXT
The Bobcats will hit the road again this Friday when they travel to New Philadelphia, OH for a 7 pm contest against Kent State Tuscarawas. The Golden Eagles are 3-3 this season and advanced to the USCAA II National Tournament a season ago. The all-time series between the two teams is 1-1 and they will play twice this season, with the matchup in Buffalo happening on New Years Eve.

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