BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State and D’Youville each recorded victories to start the Betty Abgott Invitational this evening at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The Bengals beat Hartwick, 81-71, in overtime in the opener, and D’Youville defeated Becker, 67-53, in the nightcap.

Buffalo State scored the first 11 points in overtime to post a victory in the day’s opening game. The Bengals trailed by as many as eight early, but rallied to take a 29-24 lead at the half. Hartwick took its first lead of the second half with just under three minutes remaining, but Buffalo State hit a free throw with 21 seconds remaining in regulation to force extra time, tied at 64-64. Lindsay Smith (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) led the Bengals with 20 points. Shareese Hamer (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Alyssa Kinney (Medford/Bellport) had 17 points and nine boards, and Toya Parks (Brooklyn, NY/MLK) netted 18 points with five assists. Danee Harrison (Ansonia, CT/Weston) led Hartwick with 18 points. Fritzi Flores (Bergenfield, NJ/Paramus Catholic) added 16 points and six assists, and Samantha Galm (Kingston, NY/Kingston) had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

In the nightcap, D’Youville overcame a 13-4 deficit to start the game and led 34-29 at the intermission, and never relinquished the lead. Christine Halter (Holley, NY/Kendall) led the Spartans with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Angel Clark (Lackawanna, NY/Lackawanna) added 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Holly Beats (Marilla, NY/Iroquois), Rachel Placito (Greece, NY/Greece Olympia) and Rachel Pagano-Fuller (Greece, NY/Greece Odyssey) all had 10 points. Beth Pion (Enfield, CT/Enfield) paced Becker with 17 points. Kristin Karat (Enfield, CT/Enfield), Brittany Evans (Danielson, CT/Killingly) and Rachel Pinak (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) scored 10 points each.

Buffalo State and D’Youville will tangle in tomorrow’s championship at 3 p.m., and Becker and Hartwick will play in the consolation game at 1 p.m.