Buffalo State Earns Crown in Men's Basketball Holiday Inn Invitational
BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (6-2) defeated Medaille (2-5), 97-74, to claim the championship in the 15th Annual Buffalo State Holiday Inn Invitational tonight at the Sports Arena. Hilbert (2-5) defeated D’Youville (0-7), 66-60, in the consolation game.
The opening half of the championship game featured six lead changes, with the largest advantage belonging to Medaille at eight points. Buffalo State capitalized on a 9-0 run late in the half to take a 40-39 lead into the locker room. The Bengals opened the second half with a 17-0 run and never looked back en route to the 23-point victory. James Williams (Brooklyn/William Grady) led the Bengals with 30 points and eight rebounds. Gregg Jones (Syracuse/Nottingham) and Jobany Tirado (Syracuse/Corcoran) poured in 17 and 16 points respectively, and Dion Mozelle (Rego Park/Xaverian) had 12 points and set a tournament record with 17 rebounds. James McNeil (Erie, PA/Northwest Acad.) led the Mavericks with 30 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Marc Reinard (Cherry Creek/Pine Valley) added 18 points, and Scott Hack (Angola, IN/Angola) added 12.
In the consolation game, Hilbert led wire-to-wire, but got a scare in the closing minutes. The Hawks jumped out to a 29-13 lead and closed the half with a 38-26 advantage. Hilbert led by as many as 18 in the second half before D’Youville closed the deficit to 63-60 with 21 second remaining. Dallas Reinard (Smethport, PA/Smethport) knocked down three free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win. Reinard lead all scorers with 27 points, while going 11 of 13 from the free throw line. Corey Vander Sluis (Syracuse/W. Genesee) added 13 points and 11 boards, and Rocco DiJohn (Scotia/Scotia-Glenville) added 11. Ross King (Silver Springs/Letchworth) led D’Youville with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Ward (Lafayette, IN/Central Catholic) had 13 points and eight assists, and Tom Kowalski (Cheektowaga/JFK) scored 12 points.
Tournament MVP: James Williams (Buffalo State)
All-Tournament Team: Dion Mozelle (Buffalo State), Gregg Jones (Buffalo State), James McNeil (Medaille), Dallas Reinard (Hilbert), Ross King (D’Youville)
The opening half of the championship game featured six lead changes, with the largest advantage belonging to Medaille at eight points. Buffalo State capitalized on a 9-0 run late in the half to take a 40-39 lead into the locker room. The Bengals opened the second half with a 17-0 run and never looked back en route to the 23-point victory. James Williams (Brooklyn/William Grady) led the Bengals with 30 points and eight rebounds. Gregg Jones (Syracuse/Nottingham) and Jobany Tirado (Syracuse/Corcoran) poured in 17 and 16 points respectively, and Dion Mozelle (Rego Park/Xaverian) had 12 points and set a tournament record with 17 rebounds. James McNeil (Erie, PA/Northwest Acad.) led the Mavericks with 30 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Marc Reinard (Cherry Creek/Pine Valley) added 18 points, and Scott Hack (Angola, IN/Angola) added 12.
In the consolation game, Hilbert led wire-to-wire, but got a scare in the closing minutes. The Hawks jumped out to a 29-13 lead and closed the half with a 38-26 advantage. Hilbert led by as many as 18 in the second half before D’Youville closed the deficit to 63-60 with 21 second remaining. Dallas Reinard (Smethport, PA/Smethport) knocked down three free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win. Reinard lead all scorers with 27 points, while going 11 of 13 from the free throw line. Corey Vander Sluis (Syracuse/W. Genesee) added 13 points and 11 boards, and Rocco DiJohn (Scotia/Scotia-Glenville) added 11. Ross King (Silver Springs/Letchworth) led D’Youville with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Ward (Lafayette, IN/Central Catholic) had 13 points and eight assists, and Tom Kowalski (Cheektowaga/JFK) scored 12 points.
Tournament MVP: James Williams (Buffalo State)
All-Tournament Team: Dion Mozelle (Buffalo State), Gregg Jones (Buffalo State), James McNeil (Medaille), Dallas Reinard (Hilbert), Ross King (D’Youville)
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu