WASHINGTON— Jake Simmons (Rochester/School of the Arts) and Nico McLean (Amherst/Sweet Home) scored 18 points apiece, and No. 24 Buffalo State (9-1) held on for an 80-77 victory over Wesleyan (9-2) this evening in the opening game of the Catholic University of America Classic.

Simmons shot 7 of 13, including hitting 4 of 8 from 3-point range, and added five steals.  McLean shot 7 of 11 from the field.  Justin Mitchell (Buffalo/Timon) was the next highest scorer for the Bengals with nine points. 

The Bengals trailed 34-31 at the intermission, and still trailed by one midway through the second half.  Buffalo State assembled a 15-5 run, however, and led 71-62 with just under four minutes remaining.  Wesleyan rallied to cut the deficit to 78-77 with 28 seconds left.  Simmons hit a layup with 18 ticks on the clock, and Wesleyan's 3-pointer at the buzzer went begging. 

Buffalo State overcame a 43-29 rebounding disadvantage with a plus-7 turnover margin.  The Bengals held a 27-12 advantage in points off turnovers.

Buffalo State will face the winner of host Catholic and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in tomorrow's championship game at 4 p.m.