Box Score BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (2-3) erased a 14-point second half deficit and led late, but visiting Hobart (3-0) escaped with an 85-83 victory in a non-conference game tonight at the Sports Arena.

Justin Mitchell (Buffalo/Timon) led five Bengals' scorers in double-figures with 22 points to go with 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Freshman Lovell Smith (Buffalo/McKinley) had 14 points off the bench, and Chris Thompson (Far Rockaway/Channel View) added 13 points and nine boards. Roderick Epps (Uniondale/Uniondale) and Bradley Doyley (Brooklyn/Sports Management HS) bolstered the Bengals' offense with 12 and 10 points respectively.

Hobart scored first and led 45-34 after a sloppy opening half in which the two teams combined to commit 29 personal fouls. The Statesmen pushed the lead to 14 at 53-39 early in the second frame, but Buffalo State slowly chipped away and took its first lead of the contest at 70-69 with just over five minutes remaining. The lead would change hands seven more times in the closing minutes, but Hobart scored six-consecutive points to take an 84-79 lead with 1:27 remaining.

After the Bengals closed the deficit to one with 50 seconds left, the Statesmen connected on 1 of 2 free throws with 35 seconds remaining to push the lead to two. The Bengals had a full shot clock to work with to tie the game, but a late 3-point attempt rattled out and the rebound bounced out of bounds as time expired.

Hobart outscored Buffalo State 28-12 at the free throw line. The Statesmen were 28 of 40 (70-percent) at the line, and the Bengals finished 12 of 23 (52-percent).

Buffalo State will next open SUNYAC play at home against Oneonta on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.