Women's Basketball Gets Back on Track with Three-Win Week; Men's Basketball Upsets No. Five Team in the Nation; Women's Hockey Completes Sweep of Neumann; Bengals Win Four in Swimming and Diving Double-Dual Meet; Men's Hockey Splits SUNYAC Weekend; Bengals Compete at Hamilton Track and Field Invitational



WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (15-3/9-1) - Bengals Get Back on Track with Three-Win Week



After an upset loss at Oneonta last Tuesday, Buffalo State was able to rebound this past week to win three straight home SUNYAC games, and stay atop the conference standings.



On Tuesday, Buffalo State welcomed second-place Brockport to the Sports Arena, and earned a 60-52 victory. In a game that had 11 lead changes, the Bengals pulled ahead for good with 3:16 remaining in the contest. Chrissy Milleville (Niagara Falls/Niagara-Wheatfield) led all scorers with 16 points and added eight rebounds. Monica Polka (Youngstown/Lewiston-Porter) recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds and Monique Hanks (Liverpool/Liverpool) added 15 points and seven boards. Cora Humphreys (New York/Grace H. Dodge) came off the bench to record a game-high four steals.



The lone winless team in the SUNYAC came to town on Friday, and despite the Bengals woeful shooting, 27 percent from the field, Buffalo State escaped with a 56-41 victory over Potsdam. Freshman guard Oandhi Brown (Syracuse/Corcoran) led all scorers with a career-high 13 points and also posted a personal best seven rebounds. Abby Kochan (Newport/West Canada) scored 12 points and recorded her own career best with 13 rebounds.



On Saturday, the Bengals extended their winning streak to three games with a 55-53 "buzzer-beater" victory over Plattsburgh. Buffalo State took the lead with 1:43 remaining in the first half for the first time since the games opening minutes. The Bengals extended their lead to as many as eight points in the second half. Plattsburgh battled back to tie the game at 51-51 with 1:31 to play, despite having its leading scorer on the bench after recording her fifth foul. Hanks hit a lay-up to put the Bengals back in front, but the Cardinals tied the score again with a pair of free throws at 0:33. Polka connected on an open lay-up with just three seconds remaining, however, to seal the Buffalo State victory. Milleville led the way with 15 points and Hanks scored 14.



The Bengals improved to 15-3 and 9-1 in SUNYAC play, and remain in first place in the conference.



Who's Next?



Buffalo State will travel down the I-90 to face Fredonia on Tuesday at 6 p.m. It will mark the first time the two teams have met since the Blue Devils eliminated Buffalo State from last year's SUNYAC playoffs with a 61-48 defeat. The Benglas will also be in action this Friday, when they host Medaille at 7 p.m.



Approaching Milestones?



* Buffalo State's women's basketball program's next victory will be the 500th since the program turned varsity in 1965. The program's overall record is 499-248 (.668). Buffalo State is looking to become just the 19th women's team in Division III to reach this milestone.



* Two Buffalo State seniors are approaching career milestones. Chrissy Milleville (Niagara Falls/Niagara-Wheatfield) has 966 career points, as she continues her bid at becoming the seventh player in Buffalo State history to score 1,000 career points. Cora Humphreys (New York/Grace H. Dodge) is looking to become the seventh Bengal to record 500 rebounds. She currently has 488.



MEN'S BASKETBALL (12-4/8-2) - Bengals Upset No. Five Team in the Nation



Buffalo State rode an emotional roller-coaster to a 2-1 record this past week.



On Tuesday, the Bengals played host to the fifth-ranked team in Division III, and the only unbeaten team in the nation. The Bengals would have something to say about that, . The Bengals weathered the early storm and kept the game close for the remainder of the first half, taking a four-point lead into the intermission. Brockport took a one-point lead with 13:41 to play, but the Bengals kept their composure and mounted a sustained 38-18 to close the game. The freshmen Konst twins had breakout games. Jeremy Konst (Williamsville/Williamsville East) led all scorers with 18 points, while brother Justin Konst (Williamsville/Williamsville East) scored 11. Both totals were new career-highs. Senior big men Shawn Haseley (Grand Island/Grand Island) and Pat Adams (Brooklyn/Boys and Girls) scored 10 points apiece, and Adams led all rebounders with 11.



Buffalo State did not have the same success on Friday, as Potsdam stole a 76-63 win. Buffalo State never led, as the Bears outplayed the Bengals in nearly every facet of the game. Potsdam especially dominated the paint, outrebounding Buffalo State 42-25. Perry Davis (Buffalo/Seneca) led Buffalo State with 15 points and Adams added 12. Freshman Mike Miranto (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) tallied a career-high 10 points.



The Bengals looked to get back on track when Plattsburgh visited the Sports Arena on Saturday. The Cardinals shocked Buffalo State in the first half, shooting 55 percent from the field and taking a 40-29 lead through 20 minutes of play. The Bengals regrouped at halftime and bombarded Plattsburgh with 64 points in the second stanza to go on to the 93-77 victory. Adams scored a career-high 21 points and added 11 rebounds. Jeremy Konst posted a second 18-point performance, and Miranto improved on his career best for the second day in a row with 11 points. Senior Aaron McFollins (Batavia/Batavia) also added 11 points.



Buffalo State is now 12-4 overall and sits alone in second place in the SUNYAC at 8-2.



Who's Next?



Buffalo State will travel to Fredonia on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. to meet the Blue Devils for the first time since losing 63-62 in the first round of last year's SUNYAC playoffs. The Bengals will not be in action this weekend.



Round Numbers?



Senior forward Shawn Haseley (Grand Island/Grand Island) eclipsed a pair of milestones this past week. He now joined the Bengals 500-points and 300-rebounds clubs. He now has 505 career points and 300 rebounds.



WOMEN'S HOCKEY (5-10/4-10) - Bengals Complete Sweep of Neumann



The Bengals got their offense back on track this weekend as the team swept the weekend series against the Neumann Knights. The two wins were a total team effort as the stalwart defense allowed only one goal on 54 combined shots in both games. Buffalo State was victorious by scores of 7-1 on Saturday and shut out the Knights 9-0 on Sunday.



The Bengals began the series with a flurry of goals in the first period of Saturday's contest and never looked back. Emma Wadsworth (Arlington, VA/ Reston Rapids) scored the first two goals and Janelle Schmitt (Arlington, WA/Northwest Admirals) and Leah Delormier (Rooseveltown/North CountryCC) each scored to give the Bengals a 4-0 lead. Buffalo State would lead the rest of the weekend. The Bengals did not score in the second but continued the offensive display in the third period with a power play goal by Schmitt, and Bree Cote (Copperton, UT/Aspen Avalanche) and Carolyn Totaro (Rome/North Country CC) each contributed with a goal apiece. The Neumann offense could only manage to score one goal in the second period as the Buffalo State defense held the Knights to 27 shots.



The Bengals earned the second victory behind Mary Keddie's (Williamsville/Buffalo Bisons) impressive shut out. Keddie stonewalled the Knights by stopping all 26 shots. Lighting the lamp for Buffalo State in the first was Wadsworth, Cote, and Dyanne Roberts (Rome/Rome Blades), who notched her first goal of the season. The balanced scoring continued bythe Bengals acoring on the day were Schmitt, Delormier, Totaro, Jennifer Downey (Freeville/Ithaca Stars), and Jessica DeCarlo (Liverpool/Syracuse Stars). Top performances on the weekend were turned in by Wadsworth and Schmitt who each recorded three goals and three assists for six points over the two game series. Mary Keddie made 53 saves out of 54 shots in the two games.



Who's Next?



The Bengals look to extend their two-game winning streak as they take on ECAC West rival Utica this weekend in a two-game series at the Buffalo State Ice Arena. Saturday's game begins at 4 p.m. and Sunday's contest starts at 1p.m. Buffalo State will honor the senior class on before Sunday afternoon's final home game. The Bengals currently stand four points ahead of Cortland for the fourth and final playoff spot with 10 points in conference play.



Records Keep Falling



Bree Cote tied the club mark for most goals in a game by a defenseman by scoring her two goals in Sunday's game, and also continues to set a new record for goals in a season by a defenseman with nine goals. The previous record was set at four goals by teammate Leah Delormier in the 2000-01 season.



Winning Touch



Emma Wadsworth is now ranked first in the conference for game winning goals. Wadworth has recorded three game-winners this season.



SWIMMING & DIVING (Men: 3-7; Women 4-7) - Bengals Win Four in Double-Dual Meet



Buffalo State competed in the final home swimming meet of the season against Division II power, Gannon University on Wednesday. The Bengals lost to the Gannon Golden Knights by a score of 116-89 on the women's side and the men were also defeated by a final score of 127-72. Highlighting the day was the performance turned in by Natalie Brown (Derby/ Odessa-Montour). In the final home meet of her career, Brown set a new Kissinger Pool record in the 400-yard IM with a time of 5:04.79. Leslie Seier (Palmyra/Palmyra-Macedon) also finished out her Kissinger Pool career in story-book fashion, with victories in the 200-yard Freestyle (2:05.82) and 100-yard Freestyle (:56.90).



For the Men, Jamie Scott (Endicott/Union-Endicott) took first place in the 100-yard Freestyle with a blistering time of 50.28.



The team's season-long dedication and hard work paid off on Saturday, as the Bengals swept the "Double Dual" meet over SUNYAC rivals, Brockport and Oneonta. The men's team defeated Oneonta by a score of 66-46 and Brockport 64-49. Buffalo State took first place in a remarkable 12 out of 13 events in men's competition and eight out of 13 in women's competition. The women's team beat Oneonta 60-50 and sunk Brockport by a score of 63-49. The men's record is now 3-7, and with the weekend sweep, the Women increased their record to 4-7.



Two Bengals swam to multiple individual first-place finishes. Brown won the 200-yard IM (2:30.44) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:07.28). Seier was victorious in the 100-yard Freestyle (56.94) and 50-yard Freestyle (25.79). Both Seier and Brown contributed to the winning Buffalo State 200-yard Medley Relay (2:01.98). Also on the relay squad were Jenessa Wheeler (Rochester/Hilton) and Alicia Tutwiler (Grand Island/Grand Island). Tutwiler raced to victory in the 100-yard Fly with a time of 1:07.72, and Wheeler placed first in the 100-yard Breaststroke (1:18.41).



In Diving, Tom Schilke (Tonawanda/Sweet Home) took first place in the one-meter and three-meter events scoring 181.65 and 191.40 respectively.



Matt Helming (Amherst/Sweet Home) finished first in the 1000-yard Freestyle (11:01.32) and the 500-yard Freestyle (5:10.12). Jamie Scott and Mark Beyer also had two first place finishes each for the Bengals. Scott ripped the competition in the 100-yard Breaststroke (1:05.18) and the 100-yard Freestyle (50.21), and Beyer breezed to victory in the 200-yard Freestyle (1:52.19)mpionships will be held at the E.C.C. Burt Flickinger Aqautics Center on Washington Street in downtown Buffalo from February 13-16.



Swimmers Salute Seniors...



In the final home event of the year, Buffalo State celebrated Senior Day, as the team took on the Division II power, Gannon University. Prior to the event, Coach Mike Switalski gave an emotional speech honoring the seniors who helped him lead the team through his first year as head coach. Seniors honored on the day were Mark Beyer, Natalie Brown, Paul Glieco (Williamsville/Williamsville South), Dan Hoefert (North Tonawanda/ North Tonawanda), and Leslie Seier. Also, receiving the Brian McDermott Award for her teamwork, dedication, and motivation both in the pool and in the classroom was sophomore Alicia Tutwiler.



MEN'S HOCKEY (10-9/5-4) - Buffalo State Splits SUNYAC Weekend



Buffalo State earned a split this weekend as it returned to SUNYAC play.



On Friday, Geneseo visited the Ice Arena and blasted the Bengals 9-3. Buffalo State outshot Geneseo 20-13 in the first period, but found itself trailing the Knights 2-0. Geneseo blew the game open in the second frame with five goals and cruised to victory in the third. Joe Urbanik (Calumet City, IL/Waterloo Blackhawks) and Todd Nowicki (Tonawanda/Wheatfield Blades) tallied shorthanded goals, and Eric Bavisotto (Amherst/Rochester Americans) also scored for Buffalo State.



Brockport came to the Ice Arena on Saturday, a night after earning its first conference point in a tie with Fredonia. The Golden Eagles struck first, but Buffalo State overcame the early deficit to emerge with a 6-4 win. Nowicki led the way with two goals and two assists, including a second shorthanded goal in as many nights. Jad Ramsay (Tampa Bay, FL/Rochester Americans), Mark Infantino (Buffalo/St. Catherines Falcons), Dan Vogel (Glens Falls/Ft. Erie Meteors), and Bavisotto all scored for the Bengals. Jason Comardo (Rochester/Monroe CC) added three assists, and freshman Adam Horvath (Coplay, PA/Pelham Prowlers) made 27 saves for the win.



Buffalo State improved to 10-9 overall and 5-4 in conference action. Despite the loss to Geneseo, Buffalo State remains one point ahead of the Knights in a third place tie with Cortland in the SUNYAC standings.



Who's Next?



The Bengals make their annual trip to the North County this weekend. They will face Plattsburgh on Friday at 7 p.m. and will meet Potsdam on Saturday in an important showdown. Potsdam is currently in sixth place in the SUNYAC, four points behind the Bengals.



First-ever?



Todd Nowicki (Tonawanda/Wheatfield Blades) became Buffalo State's first player to eclipse the 100-career point mark this past weekend. His first assist in the win over Brockport was career point number-100. He currently has 103 career points. Nowicki has 33 points this season and ranks tied for 11th in Division III with 1.74 points-per-game. He was rewarded for his efforts this past week, as he was named SUNYAC Player of the Week.



Get Shorty?



Buffalo State's Todd Nowicki (Tonawanda/Wheatfield Blades) and Joe Urbanik (Calumet City, IL/Waterloo Blackhawks) are tied for the lead in Division III with three shorthanded goals apiece.



INDOOR TRACK & FIELD - Bengals Compete at Hamilton Invitational



The Indoor Track and Field team traveled to Hamilton College this weekend and under the guidance of first year coach, Eugene Lewis and two members earned spots at the NYS Championships. In the Pole Vault competition, Aaron Masters (Grand Island/Grand Island) seized the first NYS qualifying opportunity of the season with his second place finish at a height of 3.96M. Markus Allen (Commack/ St. John's the Baptist) battled a severe groin injury and sprinted his way to a spot at both the ECAC and NYS Qualifiers in the 55M sprintStanding out for the women was Nicole Rowland (Brooklyn/Stephen Austin) with her second-place finish in the Triple Jump (9.74). Autumn Hensel (Akron/Akron) also took second place for her efforts in the 200M race (29.14).



Additional top men's performances were Mike Rhim (Medina/Medina) in the Triple Jump with a second place finish with a distance of 12.43. The Men's 4x200M relay, consisting of Aaron Kinard (Queens/Springfield Gardens), Frank Ortiz (Brooklyn/Bishop Luden), Rhim, and Allen, finished with a time of 1:36.19, earning the squad a second place finish.



Other top three finishes for the women include Mimi Mason's (Buffalo/Turner Carroll) third place finish in the Long Jump with a distance of 4.57. To compliment her second place finish in the 200M, Autumn Hensel sprinted to third place in the 400M with a time of 1:04.81.



Sprinting to third place finishes for the men were Curtis Bachek (Bayport/Bayport-Blue Point) in the 400M (55.28) and Aaron Kinard in the 55M (6.85). Luis Espinoza (Medina/Medina) caught the eye of many with his third place effort in the Shot Put recording a 12.50 distance. Mike Taylor (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) also had two third place finishes in the Long Jump and Triple Jump with distances of 5.90 and 11.72 respectively. Rounding out the Buffalo State third place finishers was AJ Walsh (Hamburg/Frontier) in the 5000M with a time of 16:20.63.



Next Up?



The Bengals look to add to the list of NYS and ECAC Qualifiers as they travel to Fredonia this Saturday.