Ohio @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 24, 2018 ) Ohio 82, Buffalo 108

Despite three straight wins, No. 24 Buffalo is still not satisfied with its play as it prepares for a three-game homestretch beginning Tuesday against Ohio. The Bulls knocked off a solid Toledo squad on the road Friday behind a big game from Nick Perkins but will be in search of a complete effort against the Bobcats, who have given them plenty of trouble in the past.

The Bulls nearly gave the game away in the early stages against Toledo, trailing 10-0 and 17-4 before righting the ship and using a strong second half from Perkins to pull away for an 88-82 victory. The senior from Ypsilanti, Mich., scored 19 of his career-high 26 points and made four 3-pointers in the second half, and also grabbed 10 rebounds in the contest for the Bulls, who will look to increase their 22-game home win streak. "These games are really important, and February and March are when you want to play your best basketball," Perkins, who is closing in on 1,600 points and 800 rebounds for his career, told the media. "That's something we've got to get back to. We want to play good basketball down the stretch and win some games." The Bobcats have fallen on tough times with five straight losses despite solid play from sophomore Jason Carter (team highs of 16.2 points, 7.0 rebounds per game), who has two double-doubles in his last four contests.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT OHIO (11-13, 3-9 MAC): Ben Vander Plas posted career highs with 10 field goals, 24 points, 13 rebounds and four assists but it was all for naught as the Bobcats, whose last five-game losing streak occurred in 2014-15, fell at Central Michigan on Saturday. The 6-9 freshman forward has four double-digit rebound games this season, including three in MAC play, and is averaging 15 points over the last three contests. Vander Plas, who hails from Ripon, Wis., also tied his career high with four 3-pointers and has made nine of his last 23 attempts following a 0-for-10 run.

ABOUT BUFFALO (22-3, 10-2): Montell McRae doesn't score in double figures often - it has happened five times this season and eight in two seasons at Buffalo - but he saved one for just the right time. The senior from Cleveland scored 12 points, including six on dunks that allowed the Bulls to stay with Toledo, and grabbed five rebounds one game after being held scoreless against Akron. Senior guard Dontay Caruthers, another role player, notched 10 points against Toledo and has scored in double figures in six consecutive games - averaging 17.0 during that span - to bring his season number to 9.8.

TIP-INS

1. With 31 points and 35 rebounds, Perkins will join Javon McCrea (2010-14) and teammate CJ Massinburg (2015-present) as the only Buffalo players with 1,600 points and 800 rebounds.

2. Despite three straight wins in the series, including a dominating home performance last season, Buffalo's record against Ohio (14-32) is its worst among all MAC opponents.

3. Doug Taylor, a 6-9 forward who leads the MAC with 1.9 blocks per game, has 135 career blocks - good for sixth all-time in Ohio history.

PREDICTION: Buffalo 85, Ohio 71