FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia men's basketball team held on for a 91-88 victory over Western New York rival Buffalo State on Friday. The Devils received a career night from freshman Brandon Hodge, and Ian Helps turned in some clutch play down the stretch to lead the Devils.

Hodge was eight of eight from the floor, including a pair of threes, and two of two from the line. Helps turned in 23 points and seven boards. He was 11 of 12 from the line, and during one stretch midway through the second half, scored all 11 points for the Devils in an 11-5 run that put the Devils up 83-73.

Kareem Brown aided the offense with 18 points -- including a perfect nine of nine from the line. Freshman Jared Fish scored 10 in his second career start.

Buffalo State (13-10 / 7-9 SUNYAC) had four players in double digits, led by Kevin Marmolejos with 21 and Mike Henry with 19 and 12 boards. Nico McLean turned in a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards.

Buffalo State jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead over the first two-and-a-half minutes. It was their biggest lead of the game.

Fredonia would answer back, outscoring Buff State 22-11 over the next eleven minutes, taking a 24-23 lead. The run was ended with nine straight points from Hodge. Hodge would score on a pair of layups, nail a three then convert one more layup.

Fredonia took a 44-40 lead into the half.

The Devils scored the first six points of the second half to go up ten, 50-40. They would hold the lead the rest of the way, with Buffalo State closing the gap to one point on several occasions.

The Devils essentially won the game at the free-throw line. They shot 87 percent (33 of 38), while the Bengals struggled, going 16 of 30, including hitting only 44 percent in the second half.

Fredonia improves to 6-15 overall and 6-10 in the conference. They are back in Steele Hall on Tuesday when they host a non-conference tilt vs. SUNY Canton.


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