Bengal Beat - Volume 11, Issue 22

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Recapping events from Monday, February 10 - Sunday, February 16, 2003

SWIMMING & DIVING - Men Place Sixth, Women Seventh at SUNYAC Championships

Freshman Ashley Myers (E. Berlin, PA/Bermudian Springs) set a new school record in the 100-Back to highlight Buffalo State's individual performances, as the women's team placed seventh of 10 teams with 211 points and the men finished sixth of 10 teams with 218 points in the SUNYAC Championships this past week at ECC's Flickinger Aquatic Center.

Myers swam a new school best 1:04.17 in the 100-Back and finished eighth in the conference. Myers was also part of four relays that earned seventh place finishes. Susanna Lehmann (Alexander/Alexander) had a strong meet on the diving boards, finishing sixth in both the one and three-meter boards, and freshman Sarah Krawczyk (Cheektowaga/W. Seneca East) placed eighth in the three-meter competition.

The divers were instrumental in scoring points on the men's side as well, as Bret Stodolka (Darien/Alexander) and Tommy Schilke (Tonawanda/Sweet Home) both finished top-eight in the one and three-meter events. Stodolka earned fifth place on the three-meter board and seventh on the one, and Schilke grabbed the sixth spot on the three-meter and placed eighth on the one-meter. Freshman Rich Gaczewski (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) had the top individual showing for the Bengals swimmers, as he placed eight in the mile. Gaczewski also teamed with Matt Helming (Amherst/Sweet Home), Dave Papke (Woodlawn/St. Francis), and Mark Manka (West Seneca/W. Seneca West) to earn fifth place in the 400-Medley Relay.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (14-8, 9-4) Bengals Still in Middle of Playoff Picture with Three to Play

Buffalo State posted a 2-1 week with an upset at Brockport and a home loss to Cortland, to stay in the middle of the SUNYAC playoff picture.

On Tuesday, the Bengals traveled to Tuttle North Gymnasium to face Brockport, and needed overtime to come away with an 84-81 victory. Neither team led by more than seven points during regulation, although the Bengals were down by five points with just 2:25 remaining. After Buffalo State battled back to within two points, freshman Dionne Turnage (Buffalo/Traditional) finally knotted the score at 71-71 with a layup with just five seconds remaining. Then with the score deadlocked at 81-81 in overtime, Turnage came through again with a pair of clutch free throws with just four seconds remaining to give the Bengals the win. Turnage finished with a career-high 26 points and six assists. Desiree Gibson (Rochester/Edison Tech) added 15 points and Abby Kochan (Newport/West Canada) tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds.

On Friday, Buffalo State returned home to host Cortland, and was defeated 60-50. The Red Dragons built on a five-point halftime lead by opening the second stanza with a 14-4 run and never looked back. Turnage and Gibson lead the way again for the Bengals with 13 points each, and Kochan added 12 points and seven boards.

On Saturday, the Bengals returned to their winning ways, as they never trailed en route to an 85-48 win over visiting New Paltz. The Bengals coasted to the victory after opening a 44-14 lead in the opening 20 minutes. Freshman Jacey Brooks (Machias/Franklinville) led the attack with a career-high 17 points and added eight rebounds. Monique Hanks (Liverpool/Liverpool) added 14 points and Tiffany Ciolek (Great Valley/Salamanca) pitched in 13 points. Kochan recorded her eight double-double of the season with 12 point and 10 rebounds.

Buffalo State is currently 14-8 overall and 9-4 in SUNYAC play. The Bengals are still in the hunt for a home playoff game with just three contests remaining.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State will host Fredonia on Tuesday, before completing the regular season on the road at Oswego on Friday and SUNYIT on Saturday.

MEN'S BASKETBALL (16-5, 11-2) - Bengals Claw Way to Top of SUNYAC Standings

Buffalo State started the week with its first loss in eight games, but rebounded with a pair of wins to jump to sole possession of first place in the SUNYAC standings by week's end.

On Tuesday, the Bengals traveled to defending conference champion Brockport for the only meeting between the two teams this season, and were defeated 71-62. The score was tied 30-30 at halftime, but the Golden Eagles pulled away in the final 20 minutes as Buffalo State's shooters struggled, hitting just 34 percent of their second-half field goal attempts. Josh Becker (Hamburg/Frontier) led the Bengals with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Twins Justin and Jeremy Konst (Williamsville/Williamsville East) each added 11 points, and Jeremy recorded a career-high nine assists. Perry Davis (Buffalo/Seneca) chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

On Friday, Buffalo State returned to the Sports Arena to host Cortland, and cruised to a 77-63 victory. The Bengals used a 26-9 run in the first half to coast to the 14-point win. Mike Miranto (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) and Jeremy Konst each scored 16 points to pace the Bengals. Justin Konst and Becker added 13 points apiece in the winning effort.

On Saturday, the Bengals weathered an early storm and overcame a six-point second-half deficit to defeat New Paltz 74-71. The Hawks opened the contest hitting their first seven field goals, including five three pointers, but Buffalo State hung in the game and rallied for the win in the second half. Becker led the Bengals with 22 points. Justin Konst added 16 points, while Jeremy scored 12. Davis also tallied 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Buffalo State is now 16-5 overall and 11-2 in conference play. The Bengals are in first place by one game over Potsdam with three regular season contests remaining.

Who?s Next?

Buffalo State will host Fredonia on Tuesday, before wrapping up the regular season on the road at Oswego on Friday and SUNYIT on Saturday.

TRACK & FIELD - Teams Train for Conference Championships

Buffalo State took this past week off to train for this week's SUNYAC Championships. The conference meet will be held this Saturday, beginning a 9 a.m. and the Bristol Fieldhouse on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

MEN'S HOCKEY (5-18-1/2-11) - Losses End Bengals Playoff Hopes

Any lingering hopes of making the postseason were crushed this weekend, as Buffalo State suffered a pair of losses on its annual "North Country" road trip.

The Bengals faced-off at Potsdam on Friday, and gave the Bears a run to the finish before falling 6-4. After falling behind 3-0 in the first period, Buffalo State rallied and took a 4-3 lead at the 10:30 mark of the final period. Potsdam tied the score at 4-4 just 1:52 later, however, and scored the winner with 1:35 remaining. Potsdam finished the scoring with an empty-net goal in the waning seconds. Matt Stankevich (Spokane, WA/Suffolk PAL) tallied his first two goals of his career to spark the Bengals offense, and Jason Sirois (Feeding Hills, MA/Elmira Jackals) also scored. Mike Zalewski (Grand Rapids, MI/Bancroft Hawks) also tallied his first goal as a Bengal against his former team. Steve Thering (Fairport/SUNY-Morrisville) was strong between the pipes, making 43 saves as the Bengals were outshot 49-24.

On Saturday, Buffalo State visited Stafford Arena, and was bombarded by Plattsburgh in an 8-0 loss. The score was just 1-0 after the opening period, despite the Cardinals holding a 20-3 advantage in shots-on-goal. Plattsburgh blew the game opening with four goals in the second period, however, and added three more in the final stanza. Plattsburgh finished the game with a 57-15 edge in shots. Nick Berti (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) played the entire game between the pipes, making 49 saves.

Buffalo State is now 5-18-1 overall and 2-11 in the SUNYAC.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State will finish it 2002-03 season on Tuesday night at Fredonia.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY (5-13-2/3-5-2) - Buffalo State Has Good Conference Weekend

In preparation for its up coming ECAC West weekend, the Buffalo State Bengals played two exhibition games against the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday, and the Rochester Edge on Sunday.

Thursday night the Buffalo Bisons visited the Buffalo State Ice Arena, and defeated the Bengals by a 4-0 score. Sunday night the Rochester Edge came to the Ice Arena and tied the Bengals 2-2. Carolyn Totaro (Rome/North Country CC) and Janelle Schmitt (Arlington, WA/Northwest Admirals) scored the goals for Buffalo State. The Bengals are 5-13-2 overall and 3-5-2 in ECAC West play.

Who's next?

Buffalo State will travel to Cortland this weekend for a pair of crucial ECAC West games. Buffalo State needs only one point in the two games to advance to playoffs for the second year in a row.





Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu