BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (5-1) topped Hilbert (1-6), 87-68, to win the championship in the Holiday Inn Invitational tonight at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. D’Youville (3-5) defeated Medaille (0-7), 55-51, in the consolation game.

Buffalo State trailed Hilbert 38-32 at the intermission, but the Bengals rebounded in the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Hawks 55-30 en route to the 19-point victory. Aaron Carter (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) led the Bengals with 14 points and four blocks. Jay Wingate (Henrietta/Rush-Henrietta) tallied 13 points, John Lawal (Hempstead/Uniondale) added 11 points, and Gregg Jones (Syracuse/Nottingham) scored nine. Hilbert was led by senior Sam Gioia (W. Seneca/W. Seneca West) with 22 points and four assists. Glen Ufland (Buffalo/Timon) added 13 points, and Will Wereley (Syracuse/Henniger) scored 10.

In the consolation game, D’Youville trailed by four points with just over a minute remaining, before Kyle Ward (Lafayette, IN/Central Catholic) scored five straight points and AJ Arnold (Forestville/Forestville) knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Spartans the win. Ward finished the game with a game-high 21 points and added four assists and three steals. Scott Mueller (Niagara Falls/Niagara Wheatfield) chipped in 10 points for the Spartans. Rene Smith (Depew/South Park) led Medaille with 13 points and eight rebounds, and Kyle White (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) scored 10 points for the Mavericks.

Tournament MVP: Gregg Jones (Buffalo State)

All-Tournament Team: Jay Wingate (Buffalo State), Sam Gioia (Hilbert), William Hall (Hilbert), Kyle Ward (D’Youville), Rene Smith (Medaille)