MONTCLAIR, NJ—Chris Cartwright (Binghamton/Binghamton) returned to the Buffalo State lineup his first game since 2011 and scored a team-high 17 points to lead the Bengals (2-4) to a 78-64 victory over Penn State Mont Alto (7-4) today on the opening round of the Montclair State Team Hill Holiday Classic.

Cartwright was named first team All-SUNYAC and helped the Bengals to a conference title and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2010-11, but did not return to school until now.  The senior guard added three steals and four assists. 

Lovell Smith (Buffalo/McKinley) recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to go with two blocks, and Roderick Epps (Uniondale/Uniondale) also netted 14 points for Buffalo State.  Larry Rivers (Syracuse/Fowler) also scored in double-figures with12 points.

The Lions could not keep up with the speed of the Bengals, as Buffalo State forced 34 turnovers and converted them into 35 points.  The Bengals also recorded 11 blocked shots.  Buffalo State shot just 34-percent from the field for the game and was 3 of 23 from 3-point range.  Penn State shot 39-percent and was 4 of 16 from beyond the arc.

Penn State led briefly at 23-21 with four minutes remaining in the first half, but the Bengals used a late push to take a 36-29 lead into the intermission and never looked back.  Buffalo State led by as many as 16 in the second stanza and the Lions never threatened.

Penn State Mont Alto is a non-NCAA member that is currently the No. 1-ranked team in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

Buffalo State will face the host Red Hawks in tomorrow's championship game at 3 p.m.