BUFFALO, NY – The Bengals men’s basketball team grinded out a hard-fought 66–62 home victory over the Alfred University Saxons.
GAME BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 66, Alfred University – 62
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 4-2 (0-0 SUNYAC), Alfred University: 2-5 (0-0 Empire 8)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Ephraim Strong (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) led the Bengals with 18 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Jacob Opare (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond) added 17 points, going 6-of-11 from the floor and knocking down three triples of his own.
- Strong also led the Bengals on the glass with eight rebounds, while four different Bengals finished with two assists each.
- As a team, the Bengals shot 41.7% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc, connecting on 11 three-pointers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Winners of two straight, the Bengals looked to complete the “Alfred Sweep” as they hosted the Alfred University Saxons to open play following the Thanksgiving break.
- The first half opened with back-and-forth play, as both teams stayed deadlocked midway through the frame. A surge of hot shooting from the Bengals then ignited a dominant 20–0 run, pushing their lead to 15 points as both teams headed into halftime.
- In the second half, the Saxons responded with a 10–0 run of their own, quickly cutting into the Bengals’ advantage and creating a tighter contest than anticipated. Both teams ramped up the defensive intensity, making every possession count. Midway through the half, the Bengals rebuilt their lead back to double digits, but the Saxons continued to pressure, bringing the game back within single digits. In the end, a gritty finish allowed the Bengals to hold strong and complete the “Alfred Sweep,” securing a hard-fought home victory.
FOR THE FOES
- Franlys Valenzuela led the Saxons with a double-double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
- As a team, the Saxons shot 49.0% from the field and 71.4% from the free-throw line.
UP NEXT
The Bengals look to keep their momentum rolling as they begin SUNYAC play, traveling to SUNY Potsdam on Friday, November 5th to take on the Bears at 7:30 PM.
Courtesy of Buffalo State University Athletics.