Box Score
GUELPH, ON – Saturday night at the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre, the Gryphons men's basketball team could have very easily laid down after falling behind by 22 points to the NCAA Division-1 University of Buffalo Bulls. Instead, the Gryphons showed some great fight in what was their second straight preseason contest against a team from south of the border, trimming the deficit to just six before ultimately falling short 84-76.
 
After facing Louisiana-based Northwestern State the previous weekend, this time around the Gryphons opened the doors of the W.F. Mitchell Centre to welcome in another NCAA opponent. The University of Buffalo Bulls program has been on the rise in recent years, having won the MAC (Mid-American Conference) tournament each of the past two seasons to reach the NCAA Tournament in both 2015 and 2016. On Saturday night in Guelph, the Bulls were able to use their length and athleticism to build up a substantial lead in the second half.
 
The Gryphons, who for a second straight game were rotating players regularly with a total of 15 different players seeing floor time, were led by fourth year point guard Daniel Dooley who scored 19 points and was three of six from beyond. Incoming rookie point guard Jordan Sobot, a Burlington Nelson product who attended prep school in Indiana prior to joining the Gryphs, also impressed as he racked up 12 points in 13 minutes of floor time, including a couple of three pointers of his own.
 
For head coach Chris O'Rourke, there were certainly some positives to take away from Saturday night's contest versus a tough NCAA opponent. "The guys battled tonight and worked hard to cut it down to single digits. We were able to mix up our 'D' and play some zone in the second half which allowed us to get back into it. We did a nice job on the offensive glass, but we allowed them to get to the stripe too often. Overall, was pleased with the energy and effort."
 
The Gryphons had 17 offensive rebounds and held the Bulls to just two of 17 shooting from beyond the arc. Buffalo made 27 trips to the free throw line, hitting 22 of those, compared to Guelph's 12 made free throws on the night.
 
The Gryphons are now off for a two week stretch and will resume regular practices on Tuesday, September 6. The next preseason game on the schedule takes place once the calendar turns to October, this time against some Canadian competition.  On Saturday, October 1^st the Gryphons host the Newfoundland-based Memorial Sea-Hawks. That game tips at 1pm and marks the first of a pair of exhibition games that weekend as the Gryphons will also host the Sheridan Bruins on Sunday, October 2^nd at 1pm. Both games will be held in the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre.