ATHENS, Ohio -- Javon McCrea scored 15 points as Buffalo used a balanced attack to protect first place in the Mid-American Conference with a 69-63 win over Ohio on Wednesday.

Joshua Freelove added 14 points, Jarod Oldham 13 and Will Regan 10 for the Bulls (17-8, 11-4), who began the night with a one-game lead over the Bobcats (19-9, 9-6) and Akron.

Nick Kellogg led Ohio with 18 points.

Buffalo only made 2 of 14 three-pointers while Ohio knocked down 8 of 22, three by Kellogg.

The Bulls led 42-27 at the half and pushed that to 17 before Ohio used a 12-0 run to get back in the game. The Bobcats got within two a couple times and trailed 65-64 with 1:10 to play before McCrea and Shannon Evans converted two free throws apiece in the final minute. However, Buffalo was only 13 of 23 from the line.