Recapping events from Monday, February 23 – Sunday, February 29

MEN’S BASKETBALL – Bengals Season Ends At Potsdam

Buffalo State was outscored by Potsdam 21-5 over the final eight minutes Tuesday in the SUNYAC quarterfinals, as the Bears ousted the defending conference champion, 58-45.

After trailing 27-22 at halftime, Buffalo State rallied to take a 40-38 lead with just over eight minutes remaining, but Potsdam dominated the Bengals down the stretch. The Bengals shot just 33-percent from the field and made 3-of-17 three pointers and 6-of-12 free throws. Potsdam scored 23 of its 58 points on the free throw line.

Senior Joshua Becker (Hamburg/Frontier) led the Bengals with 13 points. Freshman Aaron Carter (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) added 10 points and eight rebounds. Justin Konst (Williamsville/Williamsville East) chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.

TRACK & FIELD – Bengals Win Three State Championships

Buffalo State athletes captured three championships Saturday at the NYSCTC Championships held at St. Lawrence University as the men finished seventh of 14 teams, while the women placed 13th of 15 teams.

On the men's side, Justin Muise (Kenmore/Kenmore West) placed first in the 400m dash with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 48.95, just .01 seconds shy of the meet record. Muise also joined Eugene Overton (Syracuse/Corcoran), Frank Ortiz (Brooklyn/Bishop Loughlin) and Tim Giagos (Rochester/Gates-Chili) to win the 4x200m relay with a time of 1:31.43. Other strong performances included Ken Ciolek (Limestone/Bradford Area) in the high jump (2nd/1.90m) and in the triple jump (3rd/13.31m), Matthew Kubiak (Lakeview/Frontier) in the 1,000m run (5th/2:35.31), and Aaron Masters (Grand Island/Grand Island) in the pole vault (5th/4.25m).

Sophomore Linda Williams (Rochester/Edison Tech) was the lone point-scorer on the women's side as she claimed the 55m dash championship for the second straight year, with a time of 7.41. She also placed seventh in the 200m dash in 27.57.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – Bengals Fall At Geneseo

Buffalo State’s season came to an end Tuesday in the SUNYAC Quarterfinals at Geneseo, as the fifth-seeded Bengals fell to the No. 4 Blue Knights by a 78-57 margin.

Geneseo opened the game with a 20-6 run and extended its lead to as many as 21, before taking a 44-31 advantage into the intermission. Buffalo State got to within 10 at 50-40 with 13:28 remaining, but the Blue Knights pulled away from there and claimed the 21-point victory. Buffalo State shot just 33-percent from the game and 25-percent over the final 20 minutes, compared to Geneseo’s 47-percent shooting.

Senior Monique Hanks (Liverpool/Liverpool) led the Bengals with 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Jacey Brooks (Machais/Franklinville) and junior Tawan Slaughter (Buffalo/Christian Central) each added 12 points. Sophomore Desi Gibson (Rochester/Edison Tech) scored nine points and had six rebounds.

Buffalo State finished the season with a 13-13 overall mark, failing to register winning record for just the second time in 24 seasons.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY – Bengals Finish Season With Pair Of Wins

Buffalo State earned its first ECAC West win of the season on Friday, defeating Chatham 8-0. Senior captain Emma Wadsworth (Arlington, VA/Reston Raiders) led all scorers with two goals on the night. Forward Maddy Loftus (Parsippany, NJ/Pittsburgh Firebirds) added a goal and an assist to her career totals. Senior Janelle Schmitt (Arlington, WA/Northwest Admirals) and sophomore Jen Trees (Clear Lake, IA/Minnesota Thoroughbreds) each had two assists on the night. Jamie Overbeck (Tonawanda/Buffalo Bisons), Courtney Wagner (Connellsville, PA/Erie Lady Lions), Amanda Uschold (Rochester/Rochester Edge), Carolyn Totaro (Rome/North Country CC), and Arity Buckley (New Hartford/New Hartford) all added a goal for the ary Keddie (Williamsville/Buffalo Bisons) was solid in net for the Bengals recording her eighth career shutout.

Buffalo State wrapped up its season Saturday with a 5-2 victory at Chatham.

Tara Ostempowski (Lancaster, NY) led the Bengals with two goals and three assists. Jamie Overbeck (Tonawanda, NY) added a goal and two assists, and Emma Wadsworth (Arlington, VA) and Carolyn Totaro (Rome, NY) each scored for Buffalo State. Kim Costanzo (Cheektowaga, NY) chipped in a pair of assists.

Buffalo State finished the season 4-18-3 overall and 2-8-2 in ECAC West play.