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for January 2011
 The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team erased a 10-point deficit midway through the second half to defeat Akron, 73-70, at Alumni Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing, 58-48 with 10:03 left, the Bulls mounted a 13-3 scoring run and a steal and dunk by Mitchell Watt tied the game at 61 with 6:16 remaining. From there, the lead would change hands five times over the next four minutes.
With the Bulls trailing 69-68, Dave Barnett hit a three-pointer from the corner that danced around the rim before trickling through the twine and Buffalo led 71-69 with 1:22 left.
Continue reading ‘UB Bulls Rally to Beat Akron, 73-70′
 After being the toast of the NFL over the past week following his sensational touchdown run against New Orleans that resurrected the term “Beast Mode”, Marshawn Lynch along with the majority of his Seattle Seahawks teammates were missing in action Sunday afternoon.
Seattle was pounded by Chicago in the NFC Divisional round, 35-24 and Lynch was non-existent. After gaining 131 yards last week against the Saints, Lynch rushed just four times against the Bears and managed to gain all of two yards.
The blowout loss hardly falls on Lynch’s shoulders alone. The running game as a whole was a non-factor and the defense couldn’t stop Jay Cutler to save their lives. Still, it’s a bad ending for the man who had Bills fans throwing fits he was traded just a week ago.
Chicago will host Green Bay in the NFC Championship game next Sunday.
 Leah Knott scored her first goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough to propel Buffalo State (7-9/3-7) past No. 3-ranked Plattsburgh (12-2-1/8-1), as the Cardinals scored two unanswered to defeat the Bengals, 2-1, in an ECAC West game today at the Ice Arena.
Christine Williams and Kailyn Murray each recorded an assist on Buffalo State’s lone goal.
Megan DiJulio led Plattsburgh with a goal and an assist. Erika Shaubel scored once and Steph Moon chipped in two assists for the Cardinals. Both teams scored in the opening period, with Buffalo State striking first at the 10:59 mark. Plattsburgh answered less than six minutes later, with its first of two power play goals, and added the game-winner in the third period.
Continue reading ‘Plattsburgh Clips Buffalo State Women’s Hockey, 2-1′
 The Buffalo Bandits came into Philadelphia looking for their first win of the season and found it on the back of Michael Thompson and the Bandits defense. In a 9-6 victory over the Wings, Thompson was the player of the game for the Bandits. He allowed six goals on 45 shots and kept the Wings scoreless for two quarters, an in-game feat that is rare throughout the season.
The Bandits offense did what they had to do in this game with John Tavares being the leading scorer with three goals and three assists. Chad Culp, a defenseman picked up in the offseason, had two early goals while Mark Steenhuis, Tracey Kelusky, and Brendan Thenhaus each picked up one.
Continue reading ‘Bandits Get First Win of Season’
 We’re becoming a big fan of continuity here at Buffalo Sports Daily. Yesterday we started the “Saturday Morning Hangover” column and today it’s the first installment of our mailbag. We plan on running this every Sunday, provided of course our readers continue to send in their questions and comments.
I don’t consider myself an expert in the sports field and a lot of these are merely opinions, but hey, you had questions and comments—so I’ll do my best to give insightful answers… or take wild guesses.
In your opinion what position needs more work; the linebackers or defensive line? (Sean Brunett via Twitter)
That’s a great question, Sean. The Buffalo Bills definitely have more already invested in their linebackers and quite possibly Pal Posluszny in the near future, but I still think of the two, that unit as a whole needs the most work. You can make a strong argument for both as it’s easy when your defense was dead last in the league against the run and the second-worst in league history.
Continue reading ‘Sunday Morning Mailbag’
 The Canisius College men’s basketball team used a 24-4 run that ran from the closing moments of the first half through the first 4:23 of the second half en route to a 72-51 win over Manhattan College Saturday afternoon in the Draddy Gymnasium. The win improved the Golden Griffins to 8-8 overall and 2-4 in MAAC play, while the Jaspers dropped their 15th-straight game to fall to 2-15 overall and 0-6 in league action.
The win, which was Canisius’ sixth all-time victory in Manhattan’s Draddy Gymnasium, was fueled by Canisius’ 40-22 advantage in points scored in the paint. Senior Elton Frazier led the Blue and Gold with 18 points and six rebounds, while fellow senior Greg Logins chipped in 13 points and five boards in the win. Sophomore Gaby Belardo was good for 11 points, five assists and a career-high five steals, as the Griffs ended the contest with 15 points off 17 Manhattan turnovers.
Continue reading ‘Canisius Cruises to a 72-51 Win at Manhattan’
 A strong first period led the Niagara men’s hockey team (13-7-2, 10-5-0 AHA) to a 3-1 victory over the host American International Yellow Jackets (4-13-1, 4-10-1 AHA) on Saturday night at the Olympia Ice Center. Niagara’s win on Saturday night cemented a 4-1-0 record on its season-long, five-game road trip.
“To play most of the game with a two-goal lead might not lead to the safest feeling, but the team was thorough with their decisions,” Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said. “It was nice to have the Haczyk, Zanette, Iuorio line to get us going.”
Continue reading ‘Niagara Men’s Hockey Defeats AIC, 3-1′
 It was a memorable week for the McKinley boys high school basketball team. The Macks defeated Yale Cup Rivals East on Tuesday at home before taking to the road to clip Riverside on Thursday. Saturday they capped a perfect five days of basketball by upending Sweet Home, 69-46 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Classic at City Honors.
John Black led the way for undefeated McKinley (7-0) with 23 points while Damon Canty added 16 points. The Macks outscored Sweet Home 20-12 in the second quarter to take command of the game. Rashaun Cole was the leading Sweet Home (6-5) scorer with 14 points.
McKinley was ranked 10th in last week’s Buffalo News large school poll but are sure to move up when the updated one is released on Tuesday.
Continue reading ‘Memorable Week For McKinley Concludes With Win’
 Senior Anthony Nelson reached the 1,000-point and 500-rebound milestones as Niagara dropped a 77-57 contest against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks on Saturday afternoon at the Yanitelli Center.
Nelson, who is from nearby Plainfield, N.J., became the 41st member of the 1,000-point club in front of family and friends. Nelson entered the game needing seven points for 1,000 in his career. Nelson drove around his defender for a layup to score his 1,000th point with 16:54 left in the second half to cut SPC (9-8, 4-2 MAAC) lead to 44-29.
Niagara (4-14, 1-5 MAAC) started the game in control behind 6-for-9 shooting from the field. A jumper by Malcolm Lemmons gave the Purple Eagles their largest lead at 19-12 with 8:46 left. Though, Niagara would go scoreless in the final four minutes of the half as the Peacocks surged ahead.
Continue reading ‘Nelson Reaches 1,000 Points In Niagara Loss’
 Completely falling apart in the second period cost the Buffalo Sabres dearly Saturday night, allowing four straight goals in less than eight minutes as the New York Islanders handed the Sabres a 5-3 defeat.
John Tavares scored a natural hat trick on Ryan Miller, who continues to struggle this season. Blake Comeau also scored for New York in the second, which was ultimately the game winner.
Miller stopped just 32 of 37 Islanders shots and has now given up at least four goals in four of his seven January starts.
Continue reading ‘Miller’s Struggles Continue in Sabres Loss to Islanders’
 I’m scheduling this entry Friday afternoon to be posted the following morning because odds are I’ll have a hangover after this long week.
So sticking with the hangover theme, here’s a small list of things that are contributing to my head pounding this wintery Saturday morning.
♦ Cody McCormick has as many goals (six) for the Buffalo Sabres this season as Tim Connolly. That’s completely inexcusable and I don’t care if two-thirds of the Hansen brothers were Connolly’s line mates. Terry Pegula can’t come soon enough— this team is in dire need of a quality house cleaning.
Continue reading ‘The Saturday Morning Hangover’
 Buffalo’s newest Semi-Pro football team, the South Buffalo Celtics, have officially added another weapon to an already strong backfield with the signing of Carlton “PJ” Harris.
Harris is a former standout running back for Lockport High School and finished second in the voting for the Buffalo news Western New York Player of the Year in 2004. Harris also had a brief stint with the Rochester Raiders’ indoor football team when he caught the eye of many following an impressive 4.48/40-yard dash at their tryout.
This signing now gives the Celtics both the 2004 WNY Player of the Year and his runner up. 2004 P.O.Y. Zak Kedron of St. Francis High School has already been signed to the team. Interestingly enough, Kedron and Harris finished ahead of two current NFL players in James Starks (Green Bay Packers) and James Mallory (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) for this award.
Continue reading ‘South Buffalo Celtics Land Carlton Harris’
 Niagara men’s soccer standout John Fiutowski (’09) has received the Bob McCloskey Insurance post-graduate scholarship.
As part of their agreement with the MAAC, Bob McCloskey Insurance provides a post-graduate scholarship to one male and one female student-athlete from the league’s member institutions. The intent of the scholarship is to promote and encourage academically and athletically accomplished student-athletes to continue their education by attending graduate school. As part of the selection process, the committee will evaluate athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrate leadership.
Continue reading ‘Niagara’s Fiutowski Awarded MAAC Post-Graudate Scholarship’
 The Buffalo Sabres today announced they will be holding an online auction of game-worn home and away jerseys from the first half of the 2010-11 season. Each jersey will come with a certificate of authenticity. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.
The blue home jerseys were worn from the preseason through the first 19 home games of the regular season, ending with the Dec. 23 game vs. Florida. Each jersey – except those of players who were scratched for the game – includes the Hockey Hall of Fame patch that was worn during the Nov. 6 game at Toronto.
The white away jerseys were worn from the preseason through the first 21 road games of the regular season, ending with the Jan. 8 game at Phoenix.
The auction will begin Saturday, Jan. 15 at 12 p.m. The home jersey auction will conclude Sunday, Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. and the away jersey auction will end Monday, Jan. 24 at 9 p.m. Fans can access the auction by logging onto the auction section of Sabres.com.
 In a move everyone expected, University of Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley today announced that he’ll enter the NFL draft.
Many are expecting him to be the top pick of the draft when Carolina goes on the clock. Of course, any realistic shot the Buffalo Bills had of landing him at three came to a crashing halt when Andrew Luck announced that he’d return to Stanford next season. It was widely speculated Carolina would take Luck with the top pick.
Like we reported when the Luck announcement first happened, it hurts the Bills in that a defensive player that would’ve fallen in their laps now won’t. Had Luck entered the draft it would’ve meant that either Fairley or Da’Quan Bowers would be available at three, but with Denver picking second and likely looking for defensive help, both should be gone before the Bills select.
It’s only January and things are sure to change from now through late April, but it appears for the time being cornerback Patrick Peterson, defensive linemen Marcel Dareus or linebacker Robert Quinn appear to be the Bills top three candidates.
 Despite never meeting her, I was saddened on Wednesday to learn that fantastic WGR-550 reporter Paul Hamilton lost his wife, Dawn after a long battle with cancer. Myself along with everybody affiliated with Buffalo Sports Daily send our heartfelt condolences to Paul and his entire family.
I know Paul Hamilton very well, though he barely knows who I am—if at all. In the early 2000s I was covering the Buffalo Sabres for a local weekly publication and it was the first time, for me, as an accredited member of the media. To be perfectly honest, I was a bit in awe of these professional athletes I grew up watching on television, so I was more than just a little passive in how I conducted myself around them—if not flat-out intimidated.
Continue reading ‘Condolences to the Paul Hamilton Family’
 Marist held a 48-30 rebounding advantage, including 20 offensive rebounds, en route to defeating the Canisius College women’s basketball team 59-40 in the Koessler Athletic Center on Kid’s Day on Friday. The Golden Griffins fall to 5-11 overall and 1-4 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Freshman Jamie Ruttle led Canisius with 10 points while junior Steph MacDonald and freshman Jen Lennox each had seven points. Freshman Jen Morabito had a career-high seven rebounds.
“Today’s game came down to rebounding and Marist was able to take advantage of that aspect of the game,” Canisius coach Terry Zeh said. “We did some good things defensively, but not boxing out and keeping Marist off the glass let them overcome a tough shooting day.”
Continue reading ‘Canisius, Niagara Women Lose Kids Day Games’
 The Buffalo Bills would only announce publicly Thursday that Dave Wannstedt visited with the team, but indications are that the Bills are looking to hire him as an Assistant Head Coach and help the ailing defense.
Word is Wannstedt is looking to become an assistant head coach and Chan Gailey would be happy to have him on board. The two have a working past together with Gailey serving as offensive coordinator in Miami when Wannstedt was head coach there in 2000-01.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that even if the Bills hire Wannstedt, current defensive coordinator George Edwards is likely to be retained.
Continue reading ‘Indications Are Bills Want Wannstedt’
 There’s few tasks more daunting in all of Western New York high school sports than walking into Bishop Timon-St. Jude’s gym on McKinley Parkway in South Buffalo and leaving with a victory during a winning Tigers season. Catholic rival St. Joes flirted big-time with being Timon’s latest victim, but a last second bucket followed by a dominant overtime sent the Timon fans home in a sour mood.
Junior center Reggie Agbeko put in a loose ball after teammate Steve Moser’s shot was blocked right before the final buzzer sounded to send the game to overtime. There, St. Joes outscored Timon in extra time 9-3 and forced six Tigers turnovers along the way as the Marauders ended Timon’s undefeated season, 68-62.
As expected the game was a wild affair in front of a boisterous crowd that saw several lead changes and neither team get up by more than seven at any part of the game. St. Joes led at the end of the first quarter, 11-9 and clung to a 27-25 halftime lead.
Continue reading ‘St. Joes Hands Timon First Loss in OT Thriller’
 It was another conference nail biter for the Buffalo men’s basketball team Thursday night as it dropped its Mid American Conference road opener at Miami (OH), 70-67.
After battling back from a 12-point deficit mid way through the first half, it was a back-and-forth game that featured eight ties and nine lead changes. Freshman Javon McCrea was unstoppable down low and scored 26 points, the most by a Buffalo freshman since the team joined the MAC in 1998
The Bulls struggled to find an offensive rhythm early on, and head coach Reggie Witherspoon turned to various lineup combinations to help snap the early funk. He didn’t need to look any further than his young forward in McCrea, who hit five field goals and had four offensive rebounds in the first half alone. Fellow freshman Jarod Oldham also was a strong point in the opening half, filling in for Byron Mulkey with five points in the first half.
Continue reading ‘McCrea Shines But UB Loses in Miami’
 Cody McCormick, Nathan Gerbe and Drew Stafford scored goals and Ryan Miller stopped 27 shots as the Buffalo Sabres got a needed victory Thursday night, 3-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes at the HSBC Arena.
McCormick was merely an assist away from completing the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. He got into a fight when he fought Troy Bodie in the first round that got the home crowd going.
Buffalo improved to 5-1-1 over their last seven games but still find themselves in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and eight points out of a playoff spot.
The Sabres head to New York to face the Islanders on Saturday night before crucial divisional games against Montreal and Boston next week.
 The majority of WNY fisherman really only spend the warm months on the great waters in our area fishing. For most, it is because their boat is stored and sealed for the cold months, others only have one species of fish they pursue and that is only done during the summer months. I would like to invite all fishermen to broaden their fishing experience or start a new one by bundling up and heading to the ice covered waters for some continued fun following the holiday season.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation reports that the sale of fishing licenses totaled 21.6 million dollars this past season. It is a shame to me that most people only get half of their money’s worth out of the amount they paid for their licenses.
The average Joe probably purchases his license in the spring or summer when the weather warms or when taking the kids camping, or possibly when someone invites them on their boat for Labor Day Weekend, but there is the time from January to March and, quite possibly April, where the waters still have a bounty to spill under a frozen mask.
Continue reading ‘A Guide To WNY Winter Fishing’
 The Bills situation on the defensive line and at quarterback leaves fans with plenty to digest this offseason. Many think with the draft coming in April the organization should target a front seven stud like Nick Fairley, Marcel Dareus or Da’Quan Bowers. A much smaller percentage are completely not sold on Ryan Fitzpatrick and want the Bills to take a chance on Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert as the next franchise quarterback.
What I’m hearing an awful lot of lately via January fan chatter is this scenario: the Bills take a defensive linemen with the third overall pick and then trade back into the first round later to get their quarterback.
Here’s a quick memo to Bills general manager Buddy Nix— Please don’t do it.
The Bills have traded up early in the draft for a specific player three times in the past seven years and on each occasion the result was catastrophically bad. I don’t know Nix well, but I know him a little bit and you’d have a better chance of him appearing on Dancing With the Stars than prying extra draft picks away from him.
Continue reading ‘History Shows Bills Trade-Ups Have Been Disastrous’
 Anyone who covers sporting contests for a media outlet, whether you do it for a living or merely as hobby, knows there’s only one advantage of witnessing one-sided affairs—- the ability to get a jump start on your story long before the game is over.
When it comes to the Timon Tigers and their boy’s basketball team thus far in 2010-11, I’ve gotten plenty of practice at penning stories in the third quarter and simply filling in the blanks when the final buzzer sounds. Timon has played nine games so far this season and none have been decided by single digits. Their lowest margin of victory this year has been 11 points last month at Nichols; which perhaps was Timon’s worst game of the season.
The lack of late-game drama is expected to change Thursday night in South Buffalo when Timon (9-0) plays host to Monsignor Martin Association rival St. Joes (9-4) at 7:30pm. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 among large schools.
Continue reading ‘Showdown Looms for St. Joes, Timon’
 University at Buffalo freshman forward Javon McCrea has been named one of the best freshmen in the nation by Basketball Prospectus. McCrea ranks 15th on a list of the top 25 freshmen so far this season.
The 6-6 forward is averaging 9.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He also has 19 steals and 26 blocked shots. He is shooting 70.8 percent from the field to lead the MAC and rank second in the nation. He also ranks fourth in the conference in blocked shots and fifth in rebounding.
McCrea has three double-doubles on the season. The Newark, NY native tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds in his debut against Navy to become the first UB player to record a double-double in the first game of his career since Rasaun Young had 15 points and 11 rebounds against Daemen on Nov. 26, 1993.
McCrea is the only freshman from the Mid-American Conference to appear on the list.
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