(BOX SCORE - CHAMPIONSHIP)
(BOX SCORE - CONSOLATION)

BUFFALO, NY—Thomas More (2-0) cruised past Rutgers-Newark (3-1), 75-55, to win the title at the Buffalo State Coles Classic this afternoon at the Sports Arena. John Carroll (1-1) defeated Buffalo State (0-2), 89-56, in the consolation game.

Brian Muse (Bethel, OH/Bethel) led Thomas More to the title, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Mark Tinklenberg (Dublin, OH/Dublin Coffman) had 10 points and six boards, and Eddie Brown (Hamilton, OH/Stephen T. Badin) also scored 10 for the Saints. James Johnson (Summit, NJ/Summit) led the Scarlet Raiders with 14 points, and David Cherry (Linden, NJ/Roselle Catholic) chipped in 13 points with four rebounds. Thomas More steadily built its lead in the opening 20 minutes and was up 37-24 at the intermission. Rutgers-Newark never got closer than 12 in the second half.

Matt Crozier (Philadelphia, PA/Lasalle) paced John Carroll's scoring with 15 points in the consolation game. Michael Hartnett (N. Royalton, OH/Lakewood St. Edward) added 14 points. Maurice Haynes (Cleveland, OH/Villa Angela) had 12 points and four steals, and Rudy Kirbus (Willoughby Hills, OH/St. Ignatius) scored 11. Norman Simmons (Rochester, NY/East) led Buffalo State with 14 points. #A.J. White# (Rochester, NY/Bishop Kearney) had eight points, seven rebounds and five blocks. Buffalo State led by five early, but John Carroll used runs of 14-4 and 18-3 to take a 45-27 lead into halftime. The Blue Streaks led by as many as 38 in the second half, coasting to victory.

Tournament MVP: Brian Muse (TMC)
All-Tournament Team: Mark Tinklenberg (TMC), James Johnson (RNU), Maurice Haynes (JCU), Michael Hartnett (JCU), A.J. White (BUF)