Defense, free throws put Devils past Bengals
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Men's basketball
(BOX SCORE: Fredonia State 61, Buffalo State 58)
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State turned up the defensive screws down the stretch in its 61-58 SUNYAC home win Tuesday over Buffalo State.
After Buffalo State's James Tyndal (Bronx/Msgr. Scanlon) hit a 15-footer to forge a 54-54 tie, the Blue Devils (13-6, 7-5 SUNYAC) denied their opponent a field goal on its final six possessions of the game.
In the interim, Fredonia State sophomore Julius Bryant (Buffalo/Hutch Tech) was 4 of 4 from the foul line, including both ends of a one-and-one with 1.1 seconds remaining. He finished with 13 points, one of three Blue Devils in double figures.
Junior forward Kyle Mitchell (Lazerne/Hadley Lazerne) led the way with 15 points, including 12 in the first half on 6 of 6 shooting. Junior guard Brad Cooper (Monticello) added 11 points and had three assists. Seven Blue Devils registered at least one assist.
Senior guard Jamar Gray (Rochester/Bishop Kearney) had a game-high 19 points for the Bengals (11-7, 7-4 SUNYAC), who came into the game winners of six straight and of nine of their last 10 games.
After Tyndal's basket forged the game's 12th and final tie, Fredonia State took a one-point lead on a free throw by Mitchell. Buffalo State took its final lead, 56-55, on a pair of free throws by sophomore forward Glenroy Carr (Amherst/Sweet Home) with 3:54 remaining.
Bryant was fouled in the act of shooting after missing and grabbing his own rebound with 2:04 left. He made both free throws and the Blue Devils were back in the lead for good, 57-56. A driving layup by senior guard Wayne Davis (Binghamton), set up on a pass from junior guard Kevin Saunders (Batavia), added to the Blue Devil lead, 59-56.
A free throw by Carr with 1:11 left and a free throw by senior guard A.J. White (Rochester/Bishop Kearney) accounted for the final two Buffalo State points. White's make with 3.1 seconds left was followed by a miss and a rebound by Bryant. He was immediately fouled, and sank both shots at the other end.
Buffalo State's long inbounds pass was intercepted by Saunders and time ran out.
The Blue Devils visit Brockport for a SUNYAC game 8 p.m. Friday.