By: by Matt Palisin, Asst. SID
BOXSCORE
BOX SCORE
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State men's basketball team held a lead with just over three minutes remaining, but could not hold on, dropping a 74-71 decision at No. 21 Buffalo State on Monday. The game featured 15 lead changes, and neither team led by more than four points at any point during the second half.
The Devils held a 43-41 lead at the break. Their latest lead would come with 3:24 remaining in the game following a layup by
Kevin Mitchell to make it 67-65 Fredonia State.
Buff State tied the game 67-all on a layup by Norman Simmons at the 2:50 mark. The Bengals took the lead for good with 1:45 left on a pair of free throws by Jake Simmons. Nico McLean upped the lead to four, 71-67, with two more free throws with :35 seconds remaining.
The Devils pulled back to within one, 72-71, following a pair of free throws by
Julius Bryant, a free throw by the Bengal's McLean and a layup by Bryant with :04 seconds left.
McLean was sent to the line one more time with :02 seconds remaining and converted on his final two free throws to put the game away. He finished with 11 points including 7 of 8 from the line.
Buffalo State (11-1 overall, 4-1 SUNYAC) received 17 points and 9 rebounds from Justin Mitchell. Ahmed Nagaya added 14 and Roderick Epps had 12. Its No. 21 ranking was in the d3hoops.com poll.
Bryant and
Damien Goodwin II scored 20 apiece to lead the Devils. Bryant also had a team-best 9 rebounds.
Leonard Smith had 14 points and 4 assists, and
Kevin Mitchell added 11 points.
The Devils fall to 6-5 overall and 1-4 in SUNYAC play. They travel to Geneseo and Brockport this weekend.
