Bengal Beat - Volume 11, Issue 25

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Recapping events from Monday, March 3 - Sunday, March 9, 2003

MEN'S BASKETBALL (19-9) - Bengals Season Ends in Heartbreak

Buffalo State (19-9) overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to take a lead in the closing minutes, but could not hang on as its season ended at the hands of Scranton (23-5), 58-56, on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Playoffs before a crowd of 2,500 at the John J. Long Arena.

The Bengals opened the game ice cold, hitting just 21-percent from the field and 1-of-7 from three-point range, as they trailed 27-16 at the intermission. Buffalo State jumped back in the contest in the second half after opening on a 6-0 run. The Bengals took their first lead when Josh Becker (Hamburg/Frontier) hit a three-point basket with 2:40 remaining to take a 52-50 lead. After falling behind again, Becker reclaimed the lead with a jumper with just 42 seconds to play at 56-55. The Royals hit three free throws in the closing seconds, however, and Buffalo State was unable to launch a final shot at the buzzer.

Becker led the Bengals with 25 points on 9-of-15 from the floor, including 21 points in the second half. He also recorded seven rebounds. Perry Davis (Buffalo/Seneca) added 10 points and five boards, and Jeremy Konst (Williamsville/Williamsville East) scored nine points and dished out seven assists.

TRACK & FIELD - Bengals Compete at the ECAC Championship

Buffalo State sent abbreviated versions of its men's and women's teams to Tufts University on the weekend to compete in the ECAC Championship, and posted some impressive results.

Freshman Celestine Coney (Lyons/Lyons) continued her dominating indoor season as she captured the championship in the pentathlon. Coney's 3,195 points was 193 more than her closest competitor, and marked the best point total in school history. A Buffalo State record also fell on the men's side, as the distance medley relay team of AJ Walsh (Hamburg/Frontier), Matt Kubiak (Lakeview/Frontier), Jon Jackson (Utica/TR Proctor) and Derek O'Brien (Grand Island/Grand Island) posted a time of 10:35.10. The team placed 14th in the event. Justin Muise (Kenmore/KenmoreWest) earned the top male finish as he finished second in the 400m run with a time of 49.98.

The men's team finished 25th in the 43 team field, while the women placed 29th of 51.

What's Next?

Buffalo State will open its outdoor season on April 5 at the Duke University Invitational.

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