NCAAB · Final

Buffalo Bulls Edge UMBC Retrievers in Close Contest

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 5:00 PM ET · Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

Buffalo Bulls 83, UMBC Retrievers 79, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Buffalo Bulls vs UMBC Retrievers?

Buffalo Bulls beat UMBC Retrievers 83-79 at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on December 9, 2025.

Who was favored in Buffalo Bulls vs UMBC Retrievers?

Buffalo Bulls were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Buffalo Bulls emerged victorious over the UMBC Retrievers with a final score of 83-79. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Buffalo improving their record to 10-1, while UMBC fell to 6-5. The game took place at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on December 9, 2025, and was marked by a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Bulls entered the game with a strong season, holding an away record of 3-1 and an overall record of 9-1. Their recent form was impressive, with an 8-2 record over their last ten games, although they were coming off a loss to the St. Bonaventure Bonnies just three days prior. Buffalo averaged 76.9 points scored and allowed 72.1 points during this stretch, indicating a solid offensive performance despite their recent setback.

On the other hand, the Retrievers had a mixed bag of results leading into this game, boasting a home record of 4-0 but a less favorable away record of 2-4. They also had a 6-4 record over their last ten games, with a scoring average of 75.0 points and an average of 71.8 points allowed. UMBC was coming off a win against the Bucknell Bison, which may have provided a boost of confidence heading into this matchup.

The game was competitive throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. Key moments included multiple free throws made by Daniel Freitag in the second half, which contributed to Buffalo's late-game surge. Mikhail Pocknett also played a crucial role for the Bulls, scoring a layup and converting free throws that helped secure the win.

In terms of the betting market, DraftKings had Buffalo favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 145.5. The odds reflected the Bulls' strong performance this season, despite their recent loss. Buffalo's moneyline was set at -162, while UMBC's was at +136, indicating a belief in Buffalo's ability to secure the win.

The conditions for the game were typical for a December evening, with both teams adjusting to the indoor arena environment. Fans witnessed a high-energy contest, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities.

Viewers should have noted the importance of free throws in this matchup, as Buffalo capitalized on their opportunities at the line, particularly in the closing moments. The game highlighted the resilience of both teams, with Buffalo managing to hold off a determined effort from UMBC, who fought hard to stay in contention until the final buzzer.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	BUF -3.5	145.5 o -108 / u -112	Buffalo Bulls -162 · UMBC Retrievers +136

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsCaden Diggs19UMBC Retrievers
AssistsAce Valentine6UMBC Retrievers
ReboundsJosh Odunowo7UMBC Retrievers
PointsTim Oboh19Buffalo Bulls
AssistsRyan Sabol4Buffalo Bulls
ReboundsDaniel Freitag6Buffalo Bulls

Recent form

UMBC Retrievers

Last 10: 6-4Streak W175 scored · 71.8 allowed per game4-0 at home

W73-66at Bucknell BisonDec 6
L81-90at Georgetown HoyasDec 4
W71-57vs Delaware State HornetsNov 29
W102-52vs Notre Dame (MD) GatorsNov 24
L52-89at George Washington RevolutionariesNov 20
W71-70vs Wagner SeahawksNov 16
W81-79at Morgan State BearsNov 11
L71-77at Dayton FlyersNov 8
W74-53vs Penn State York Nittany LionsNov 4
L74-85at Bryant BulldogsMar 8

Buffalo Bulls

Last 10: 8-2Streak L176.9 scored · 72.1 allowed per game3-1 away

L69-77vs St. Bonaventure BonniesDec 6
W71-53at Canisius Golden GriffinsNov 29
W73-71at Bucknell BisonNov 26
W78-70vs VMI KeydetsNov 24
W94-90vs Vermont CatamountsNov 18
W80-64vs RIT TigersNov 15
W66-53at DePaul Blue DemonsNov 12
W83-76vs Green Bay PhoenixNov 7
W85-79vs Southern Miss Golden EaglesNov 3
L70-88at Akron ZipsMar 8

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Miami (OH)	32-2	-	18-0
Akron	29-6	1	17-1
Kent State	24-10	4	14-4
Toledo	19-15	7	11-7
Bowling Green	18-14	9	9-9
Ohio	15-17	9	9-9
Buffalo	17-15	11	7-11
Massachusetts	17-16	11	7-11
Ball State	12-19	11	7-11
Central Michigan	10-21	12	6-12
Western Michigan	10-21	14	4-14
Eastern Michigan	10-21	14	4-14
Northern Illinois	9-21	10	4-14
UMBC	24-9	-	14-2
Vermont	22-12	2	12-4
NJIT	16-17	4	10-6
UMass Lowell	15-18	5	9-7
UAlbany	11-21	7	7-9
Maine	8-24	8	6-10
New Hampshire	9-21	9	5-11
Bryant	9-22	9	5-11
Binghamton	8-23	10	4-12

Box score

Stat	Buffalo Bulls	UMBC Retrievers
Field goals	30-55	31-59
Field goal %	55	53
Three-pointers	7-17	9-26
Three-point %	41	35
Free throws	16-18	8-8
Free throw %	89	100
Rebounds	27	25
Offensive rebounds	8	7
Defensive rebounds	19	18
Assists	13	15
Steals	10	4
Blocks	0	0
Turnovers	10	11
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	12
Fast-break points	11	10
Points in the paint	40	36
Fouls	10	15
Largest lead	9	9
Lead changes	3	3
Time in front	36	57

How the scoring went

2nd Half44-47Tim Oboh made Free Throw.
2nd Half44-49DJ Armstrong Jr. made Jumper.
2nd Half44-51Jah'Likai King made Jumper.
2nd Half47-51Daniel Freitag made Three Point Jumper.
2nd Half47-53Josh Odunowo made Layup. Assisted by Jah'Likai King.
2nd Half49-53Ezra McKenna made Layup.
2nd Half49-55Caden Diggs made Jumper.
2nd Half49-57Caden Diggs made Dunk.
2nd Half51-57Ryan Sabol made Layup.
2nd Half51-60DJ Armstrong Jr. made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ace Valentine.
2nd Half53-60Ryan Sabol made Jumper.
2nd Half53-62Caden Diggs made Layup.
2nd Half56-62Ezra McKenna made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ryan Sabol.
2nd Half56-65Caden Diggs made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ace Valentine.
2nd Half58-65Angelo Brizzi made Layup.
2nd Half59-65Angelo Brizzi made Free Throw.
2nd Half60-65Angelo Brizzi made Free Throw.
2nd Half62-65Derrick Talton Jr. made Jumper.
2nd Half64-65Mikhail Pocknett made Layup.
2nd Half64-68Ace Valentine made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jah'Likai King.
2nd Half64-70Josh Odunowo made Dunk. Assisted by DJ Armstrong Jr..
2nd Half64-72Jah'Likai King made Layup.
2nd Half65-72Derrick Talton Jr. made Free Throw.
2nd Half66-72Derrick Talton Jr. made Free Throw.
2nd Half66-73DJ Armstrong Jr. made Free Throw.
2nd Half66-74DJ Armstrong Jr. made Free Throw.
2nd Half68-74Noah Batchelor made Layup.
2nd Half69-74Daniel Freitag made Free Throw.
2nd Half70-74Daniel Freitag made Free Throw.
2nd Half70-76Ace Valentine made Layup.
2nd Half72-76Tim Oboh made Layup.
2nd Half72-79Caden Diggs made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ace Valentine.
2nd Half73-79Daniel Freitag made Free Throw.
2nd Half74-79Daniel Freitag made Free Throw.
2nd Half75-79Daniel Freitag made Free Throw.
2nd Half76-79Daniel Freitag made Free Throw.
2nd Half78-79Mikhail Pocknett made Layup.
2nd Half81-79Ryan Sabol made Three Point Jumper.
2nd Half82-79Mikhail Pocknett made Free Throw.
2nd Half83-79Mikhail Pocknett made Free Throw.