(BOX SCORE)

BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (1-0) never trailed, officially tipping off its season with a 66-56 victory at D'Youville (0-1) in a non-conference game tonight.

Staci McElroy (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs) scored a game-high 20 points, and freshman Kala Crawford (Middle Falls/Saratoga Springs) added 12 points and five assists to pace the Bengals. Divine Sebuharara (Vestal/Vestal) added 11 points, and Dee Layne (Brooklyn/E. NY Family) scored nine points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

Buffalo State led by eight late in the first half, but D'Youville cut the deficit to just 33-31 at halftime. The Bengals used a 16-5 run early in the second period to pull away again, but the Spartans battled back again, closing the gap to 57-54 with under two minutes to play. Buffalo State put together another timely run, however, scoring the next seven points to clinch the victory. The Bengals converted 28 D'Youville turnovers into 25 points, and committed just 18 turnovers.

Buffalo State host the Betty Abgott Invitational this weekend, and will open the tournament against Hilbert on Friday at 6 p.m.