BUFFALO, N.Y. – As is usually the case, local SUNYAC rivals Fredonia State and Buffalo State played a tight game until the Devils pulled away late for a 12-point, 70-58 victory at Buff State on Saturday. Fredonia State freshman Grace Alexander put up 23 points in the victory, and Allie Wandell added 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Mary Culeton added 12 points and four steals, and Renee Park added 11 points and three steals. The win puts the Devils at 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in the SUNYAC.

After a jumper by Emma Coleman put the Bengals up 4-2, they would hold a slim lead throughout the first stanza, finishing with a 17-14  lead at the end of the quarter.

A three pointer by Wandell put the Devils up 21-19 early in the third. After one more lead change and a pair of ties – the last coming at 29-all – the Devils would lead 31-30 at the half.

The Devils would hold the lead the entire third quarter. Their biggest lead of 11 points came twice, once at 49-28 and again at 51-40. The Bengals would not go easily, pulling to within five, 51-46, by scoring the final six points of the quarter.

They completed an 8-0 run with a basket to start the fourth quarter, making it a three-point game, 51-48.

They would cut the lead to three points again, 59-56, with just over two minutes remaining.

The Devils would close out the game outscoring Buff State 11-2 down the stretch, including 9-10 shooting from the free-throw line. The Devils shot 21-32 from the line for the game.

Maddy Stearns led the Bengals (2-4 / 0-1 SUNYAC) with 13 points, and Tashawni Cornfield and Xaneya Thomas had 10 apiece.

Next up for the Devils is a non-conference home contest vs. Alfred University on Tuesday.