Saturday, November 22nd, 8:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Roberts Stadium (11,6000) -- Evansville, Indiana. Television: None. Home Record: Buffalo 0-0, Evansville 2-0. Away Record: Buffalo 2-0, Evansville 0-0. Neutral Record: Buffalo 0-0, Evansville. Conference Record: Buffalo 0-0, Evansville 0-0. Series Record: Buffalo leads, 2-1.

GAME NOTES: Two teams that have yet to taste the bitterness of defeat will collide this evening at Roberts Stadium, when the Evansville Purple Aces host the Buffalo Bulls in a non-conference battle. It has been a tremendous start to the season for Buffalo, which opened its schedule with a 70-63 victory over Youngstown State, and that was followed by a 69-64 win over Canisius. Both victories came on the road. If The Bulls are able to win this evening, it would be the first 3-0 start to a campaign for Buffalo since the 1986-87 season, and it would also be the first three-game road winning streak for the team since 2005-06. For the first time since 2004 the Purples Aces have opened a new season with a 2-0 mark. Evansville's season began with a 70-62 win over Austin Peay, which was followed by a convincing, 75-51 victory over Oakland. After this contest the Purple Aces will hit the road to battle Butler, before returning home for four more games. With respect to the all-time series between the two squads, the Bulls have a slim 2-1 edge over Evansville. Last year Buffalo snapped a 1-1 tie with a convincing, 81-60 victory over the Purple Aces at Alumni Arena.

The Bulls' second victory on the season can be attributed to the solid play by the team at the defensive end of the court, as Buffalo limited Canisius to a meager 37.5 percent shooting effort, which included an equally poor 3-of-17 clip from long range. Not to be overlooked however, was the play of the offense, as Buffalo shot 41.4 percent from the floor and connected on 8-of-20 shots from long range. Rodney Pierce, who scored 21 points in the opener, continued his strong play, pouring in 26 points. Greg Gamble did a little bit of everything in the win, as the guard tallied 10 points to go along with five boards and six assists. As for his backcourt mate, Calvin Betts, he also chipped in with 10 points, and collected eight caroms as well. Unfortunately not everyone has played well early on, as center Vadim Fedotov is a combined 1-for-11 in the first two games, and comes into tonight with just four points and eight rebounds.

Much like their counterpart, the Purples Aces used a tenacious defensive effort to upend Oakland this past Tuesday. In the 24-point victory, the Purples Aces limited Oakland to a pathetic 32.1 percent shooting effort from the field, which included a 4-of-19 clip from long range. Evansville also forced 24 turnovers in the victory, and turned those miscues into 31 points. James Haarsma led the way for the Purple Aces off the bench, netting 13 points in the win. Shy Ely, who scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the opener, only tallied 12 points against Oakland, as did Kaylon Williams, who played 23 minutes off the bench. Despite shooting 3-of-13 from the field in the win, Jason Holsinger was also to contributed 10 points. After two games, Holsinger is averaging a commendable 12.0 ppg, but the guard is shooting a woeful 25.0 percent from the floor.

Both Buffalo and Evansville have started the year off in fine fashion, but the Bulls have been the tougher of the two teams, winning both their contests on the road. Buffalo has a few more consistent scoring threats and should be able to win another matchup away from Alumni Arena.

Predicted Outcome

Buffalo 73, Evansville 67