BUFFALO, NY--Buffalo State and D'Youville earned victories in the opening day of the 2003 Buffalo State Holiday Inn Invitational tonight at the Sports Arena, sending Medaille and Hilbert to tomorrow's consolation contest at 6 p.m. The Bengals and Spartans will tip-off tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the tourney's championship game.

In tonight's opening match-up, Medaille (1-9) led from the opening basket until four seconds remaining, when D'Youville's (3-8) James Hunt hit a game-tying three pointer despite being fouled. He completed the four-point play, and Sanquin Starks (Niagara Falls) added a pair of free throws to stun the Mavericks, 67-64. Starks led the Spartans with a game-high 24 points, while Hunt totaled 17 points. Ian Morris chipped in 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Rene Smith (South Park) led Medaille with 20 points including tying a tournament record with 11 free throws. Mark Filipski (Riverside) and Nick Englert (W. Seneca West) also scored in double-figures with 17 and 10 points respectively.

In the nightcap, Buffalo State (6-3) led Hilbert (0-9) by just four at the intermission, but used a 21-4 run to open the second half to cruise to a 79-61 victory. Josh Becker (Frontier) and Perry Davis (Seneca) each recorded double-doubles to lead the Bengals. Becker scored 22 points and grabbed 12 boards, and Davis tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Roche (Williamsville East) added 12 points for Buffalo State. Adam Gioia (W. Seneca West) led the Hawks with 25 points, shooting 6-of-16 from three-point range. Warren Walters chipped in 12 points for Hilbert.

Friday, January 10

Game #1

D'Youville def. Medaille, 67-64

Buffalo State def. Hilbert, 79-61

Saturday, January 11

Consolation: Medaille vs. Hilbert, 6 p.m.

Championship: D'Youville vs. Buffalo State, 8 p.m.