(BOX SCORE)

BUFFALO, NY— Jake Simmons (Rochester/School for the Arts) hit seven 3-pointers and scored a game-high 29 points to lift host Buffalo State (2-0) to a 97-89 victory over NAIA Division II Point Park (2-2) in the opening game of the Coles Classic tonight at the Sports Arena. 

Justin Mitchell (Buffalo/Timon) bolstered the Bengals' attack with 20 points.  Chris Cartwright (Binghamton/Binghamton) added 19 points and nine assists, and  Glenroy Carr (New York/Sweet Home) had 15 points and nine rebounds.

Buffalo State led just 44-42 at halftime and never trailed in the second half. The Bengals lead grew to as many as 12 before the Pioneers rallied to cut the deficit to 85-83 with less than three minutes remaining. Buffalo State pulled away again with a late run to seal the win. Point Park shot just 39-percent (11 of 28) from the free throw line.

The three-team Coles Classic will continue tomorrow at 4 p.m. with a matchup between Point Park and Niagara College (Ont.), and will conclude on Sunday at 3 p.m. when the Bengals and Niagara square off.