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Pierce helps Buffalo rally past Ohio 72-69

Feb 28, 2010 - 4:21 AM BUFFALO, N.Y.(AP) -- Rodney Pierce had 26 points and five steals and hit the game-winning 3-pointer as Buffalo rallied from an 11-point deficit to defeat Ohio 72-69 on Saturday night.

The Bulls (17-10, 9-6 Mid-American Conference) trailed 44-33 with 2:15 left in the first half, but pulled to within 44-38 at halftime.

After Buffalo closed the gap to 51-50 with 11:08 left, the Bobcats regained a 10-point advantage. The Bulls pulled even at 67 on a Pierce 3-pointer with 2:23 left.

Ohio (16-14, 6-9) regained the lead on an Armon Bassett jumper with 40 seconds to go, then Pierce hit his 3 to make it 70-69 with 28 seconds left. John Boyer, who had 16 points, hit two free throws with 10 seconds on the clock. Bassett missed a 3 with 2 seconds left.

The Bobcats outrebounded Buffalo 35-28, but had 19 turnovers.

Kenneth van Kempen led Ohio with a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.