BUFFALO, NY – The Bengals men's basketball team earned a 75-72 victory over the Houghton Highlanders this afternoon in a non-conference matchup at the Nielsen Center.

GAME BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 75, Houghton -- 72
LOCATION: Nielsen Center – Houghton, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 3-2 (0-0 SUNYAC), Houghton: 1-4 (0-0 Empire 8)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Hali Shabazz (Buffalo, NY/St. Joe's) led the Bengals with 27 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Shabazz was 10-15 (66%) from the field and 7-9 (77%) from the free throw line.
• Chisom Ani (Elmont, NY/John Browne) chipped in 11 points while Ephraim Strong (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) led the team with eight rebounds.
• As a team, the Bengal outrebounded the Highlanders with a narrow 35-31 margin.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead, Houghton began to expand the lead.
• The Highlanders grew their lead to a half-high 13 points before the Bengals closed the gap and trailed 39-31 into halftime.
• Coming into the second half, Houghton continued the pressure and saw their lead back into double digits.
• A late run from the Bengals closed the gap as Shabazz tied the game 63-all with a driving layup and a free throw, giving the Bengals their first lead of the evening.
• After another layup from Shabazz, the Bengals never lost the lead the rest of the game despite a late-three pointer from the Highlanders.

 
FOR THE FOES

• Lou Bellamy posted a double-double performance with 21 points and 17 rebounds.
• Jake Verschoyle and Donovan Loudermill each put up double figures, scoring 22 and 19 points, respectively.

 
UP NEXT
The Bengals return to action on December 2 as they host Alfred at 7:30 pm.