Box Score New Paltz, NY—No. 16 Buffalo State (5-0/2-0) won its fifth-consecutive game to open the season, and third straight on the road, defeating host New Paltz (3-3/1-1), 89-83, today in a SUNYAC contest at the Hawk Center.

Justin Mitchell (Buffalo/Timon) was the Bengals' leading scorer with 23 points and added seven rebounds.  Jake Simmons (Rochester/School of the Arts) had 21 points and five steals, and Ahmed Nagaya (Bronx/Astor Collegiate) poured in 15 points and pulled down 14 boards.  Norman Simmons (Rochester/East) chipped in nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.

New Paltz jumped out to a 14-7 lead, but the Bengals used a 13-0 run from there and went into halftime 38-38.  The Hawks scored the first point of the second half, but Buffalo State scored next and never trailed again.  The Bengals built their lead to 11 with just over two minutes remaining and held on for the win.  Turnovers were the deciding factor once again, as Buffalo State's pressure defense forced 21 New Paltz miscues, compared to just 14 turnovers committed by the Bengals.

Buffalo State will next host Cortland for another league game next Friday at 8 p.m.