BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State men's basketball team picked up a home victory over the Plattsburgh State Cardinals, 66-64, in a thrilling SUNYAC matchup.

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 66, Plattsburgh State – 64
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 8-14 (4-11 SUNYAC), Plattsburgh State: 11-10 (8-7 SUNYAC)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Oryan DeJesus (Schenectady, NY/Mekeel Christian Academy) and Chisom Ani (Elmont, NY/John Browne) both finished with ten points to lead the Bengals in scoring, with Ani adding 12 boards in tonight's performance for a double-double.
• DeJesus also played the main facilitator in tonight's contest, adding eight assists to lead the Bengals in the playmaking department.
• The Bengals shot 41.1% from the field, 36.4% from three, and 70.6% from the free-throw line.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After falling to the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs on the road, the Bengals returned to the Sports Arena in hopes of closing out their home season in winning fashion.
• In the first half, an early Bengals lead was quickly answered by the Cardinals, who'd tie this matchup before each side began trading baskets throughout much of the half. While the Cardinals would control much of the half, jumping out to a double-digit lead, the Bengals would keep their composure by playing 'Bengal Basketball' and staying afloat in this back-and-forth contest. As the first half ticked away, the Bengals would limit the Cardinals' chances at the basket, chipping away at the Cardinals' lead to trail by two possessions at halftime.
• In the second half, the Bengals would turn up the pressure on the Cardinals by going on the attack and forcing the Cardinals back on their heels. This wave of momentum would be the turning point in this contest, as the Bengals would limit the Cardinals' chances much of the second half, while cashing in while they can. A late surge from the Cardinals would force a one-possession thrilling ending to this bout, with the Cardinals taking a late lead, before the Bengals would find the back of the net in the final thirty seconds of play and claim another nail-biting win at home.

FOR THE FOES

• Khalil Screen led the Cardinals with 16 points, as well as, 11 rebounds to pick up a double-double.
• As a team, the Cardinals shot 39.1% from the field, 30.4% from beyond the arc, and 87.5% from the free-throw line.

UP NEXT
The Bengals will close out the home regular season schedule tomorrow afternoon, as they host the SUNY Potsdam Bears at 4:00 for 'Senior Day'.