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Balanced Buffalo beats Northern Illinois 95-83

Jan 30, 2010 - 8:41 PM DE KALB, Ill.(AP) -- Rodney Pierce led five Buffalo players in double figures with 17 points in a 95-83 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday.

Sean Smiley added 13 for the Bulls (11-7, 4-3 Mid-American). John Boyer and Mitchell Watt added 12 apiece, and Calvin Betts had 11.

Boyer also had a game-high eight assists for the Bulls, who shot 55.7 percent (34 of 61) and outscored Northern Illinois 34-14 off the bench.

Xavier Silas paced the Huskies (8-11, 4-3) with 27 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Mike DiNunno scored 15 and Sean Kowal 12 for Northern Illinois, which shot 46.8 percent (29 of 62).

The Huskies led by seven points early in the game but fell behind 47-42 at intermission.

Buffalo stretched the lead to as many as 17, which happened with 9:53 left when Smiley's jumper made it 79-62.

The Bulls held a 38-34 rebounding advantage.