Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Javon Mccrea and Zach Filzen both scored 18 points to guide Buffalo to a 78-61 win over American University in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament at Bender Arena.
Also scoring in double figures for the Bulls (20-10) was Mitchell Watt who tallied 15 points and also cleared nine rebounds in the triumph.
The Eagles (20-12) were paced by Charles Hinkle who dropped in a game-high 22 points and pulled down seven rebounds, followed by Tony Wroblicky and Troy Brewer with 11 points apiece.
With a Wroblicky jumper at the 11:37 mark of the first half the Eagles found themselves within three of Buffalo at 16-13, but from there the Bulls took control and led by as many as 19 with under five minutes to play in the period before posting a 37-28 advantage at the break.
Moments into the second half American cut the deficit to just five points at 39-34, but again the visitors asserted themselves and eventually cruised to the 17-point win.
The Bulls led the rebounding battle by a slim 40-39 margin, but in terms of scoring in the paint, Buffalo registered a 38-22 advantage in that department.
Buffalo advances to the second round of the event which begins this weekend.
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