BUFFALO — Lovell Smith (Buffalo/McKinley) matched a career-best with 35 points to go with 12 rebounds and three blocks as he lifted Buffalo State to a 94-83 victory over visiting Villa Maria to capture the crown in the Coles Classic tonight at the Sports Arena.
Buffalo State led the entire game, racing out to a 14-2 lead in the opening four minutes and led 45-37 at the intermission. The Vikings cut the deficit to four early in the second half and then again at 83-79 with 1:34 remaining, but the Bengals scored the next five points to put the game out of reach. Buffalo State continued its theme of pounding the boards, outrebounding Villa Maria, 61-43, despite going to a small lineup in response to foul trouble for much of the game. The teams combined to commit 48 fouls including five technicals. The Bengals were 22 of 36 from the free-throw line, while the Vikings were just 11 of 27.
Smith finished 16 of 24 for the game. Nico McLean (Buffalo/Amherst) added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Mike Henry (Syracuse/West Genesee) scored 12 points and grabbed 16 boards. Jordan Glover (Buffalo/St. Joe’s) and Dom Grayer (Brooklyn/Bishop Loughlin) chipped in 13 and 10 points respectively.
Buff State will return to the court on Nov. 29.
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
