BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State men's basketball team came out anything but intimidated when they took on Division I University at Buffalo  on Friday night, jumping out to an early 25-7 lead, before eventually succumbing to the scholarship program, 87-78.

Brandon Kulakowski made quite an impact in his debut, scoring 23 points, while fellow transfer Martin Garza added 19. Both connected on five three pointers. As a team, the Devils hit on 16 of 33 long-range buckets, just one shy of the school record set back in 2019 vs. Buffalo State.

Malik Jemison added 16 points, and Amir Ross tacked on 15. UB was paced by Ryan Sabol with 28 points, and Anquan Boldin, Jr. with 22. Tyson Dunn had a triple double with 14 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Ross opened the scoring with a three pointer, followed by a layup by Kulakowski, giving the Devils a 5-0 lead. Kulakowski was hot in the early going. Following his back-to-back threes at the 15:00 mark, the Devils were up 18-6. 

Kulakoseki nailed his third three at the 12:05 mark, giving him 13 points as the Devils gained their biggest lead of the game, 25-7. According to Stat Track, the Devils maintained a lead for 67% of the game. 

Kulakowski had 21 points at the break, and the Devils held a 41-37 lead.

UB's Ben Michaels hit a three early in the second half, tying the game at 41. There would be five lead changes and five ties in the second half.

Jemison nailed a three for the Devils with just under six minutes to play, tying the game at 67. A three by UB's Dunn and a layup by Boldin would give them the lead for good.

The game was set up through Fredonia State head coach Sean Smiley's ties to UB. Smiley captained the team back in 2007-08, and spent two years as an assistant. 

The game is considered an exhibition for Fredonia State, and will not count towards its overall record. 

The Devils' first official game will be Wed., Nov. 13 at Hilbert College.