Campus Watch

FINAL: UB 86, Niagara 80. UB's most complete effort of season.

12.1 left Pierce at line for two. He makes first. And second. UB 85-80

13.3 left, UB 83-80: Lewis cans another three. UB possession. They're in two-shot bonus at line.

19.1 left: UB 81-75. Lewis at line for two.

44.4 left: UB 78-72. Two FTs by Smiley.

1:00 left, UB 76-72: Lewis nails three in transition. That's No. 221 for career, a school record.

1:19 left, UB 76-69:  Pierce three from wing pushes lead to 10 before Austin Cooley answers with one of his own.

2:34 2nd, UB 73, Niagara 66: Sweet pass from Boyer to Betts for a backdoor layup. UB owns possession. Pierce has 17, Williamson 16. UB shoot 63 percent in second half and 56 percent for game. Niagara just 7-23 in second half and 37 percent for game. Bulls 42-30 on boards.

3:35 2nd: UB 71, Niagara 66: Tyrone Lewis three forces UB timeout. Williamson has a big presence in comeback. Eagles far from surrender.

7:14 2nd: UB 65, Niagara 51: UB just too much inside. 17 second-chance points, 32 in the paint.

11:59 2nd: UB 55, Niagara 48: Bulls opening up breathing room despite the departure of PG John Boyer, who went to the bench with his fourth foul with 14:24 left. Sean Smiley subbed in and hit a three, and Betts maneuvered free for a lay-up. Niagara's last points came on a driving jam by Williamson, who should be taking his game inside more this night (he's 0-5 from three. Niagara 2-12 in second half, UB 6-9.

15:58 2nd: UB 44, Niagara 39: Betts jumper from corner and Boudreau lay-up off high-low pass from Titus Robinson are the only second-half field goals to this point. Niagara's missed its first six shots.

19:28 2nd: Long delay because of clock problems early in second half. Then UB forced into a timeout by Niagara pressure

Halftime: UB 40, Niagara 38: Lewis straightaway bank three at buzzer completes 5-0 Niagara run to end half after Bulls had gone on 7-0 blitz. Can't see how teams can keep up this intensity level for another 20 minutes. Captivating game to this point. Bulls 16-31 FG, Niagara 15-36. Rebounding gap narrows to 24-16 UB. Pierce leads all scorers with 11.

3:06 1st: 33-33: Ba-boom! Just like that Niagara rolls out a 10-0 carpet keyed by two Rob Garrison threes and a Lewis dunk off a steal. Best half of basketball I've seen in person this season. Energy level maxing out.

6:20 1st: UB 29, Niagara 21: Bulls on fire. Best offensive flow I've seen out of them this season by far. They're either getting easy baskets off the break or solid shots out of the half-court offense. Kashief Edwards carving an inside presence for Niagara but the three is failing Purple Eagles. Niagara had a tough chore on the boards even with Bilal Benn. Without him? It's UB 19-9. Bulls 12-14 FG, Niagara 9-24 (1-9 from three).

11:04 1st: UB 17, Niagara 16: : Frenetic pace. Bulls willing to run as they control the backboards. Pierce has seven, Williamson and Lewis four each. UB 7-12 from field, Niagara 7-17. UB's 12-4 rebounding advantage making amends for its five turnovers.

14:53 1st: Niagara 9, UB 8: Both teams really pushing it at the offensive end following a sloppy start. Atypically three of four Niagara baskets come in the paint. UB working the inside with its size advantage and getting fast-break opportunities. Seems like Niagara's going to make UB point guard John Boyer work for his space. Tyrone Lewis picking him up near halfcourt, if not before.

Demetrius Williamson replaces injured Bilal Benn in Niagara starting lineup (and misses his first two threes).

UB starts Max Boudreau in place of Mitchell Watt. Little surprise there. Watt's been struggling.

-- Bob DiCesare