PLATTSBURGH, NY—All five Buffalo State (17-2/10-2) starters scored in double-figures, including Barb Kiliszek (Depew/Lancaster) who became the 12th player in school history to score 1,000 career points, as the Bengals defeated host Plattsburgh (7-12/4-9), 65-58 in a SUNYAC game tonight at Memorial Hall.
Kiliszek, who was six points shy of the milestone entering the night, netted 11 points and had four assists and three steals. Kala Crawford (Middle Falls/Saratoga Springs) scored a game-high 13 points. Bianca Smiley (Amherst/Sweet Home) added 12 points and nine rebounds, Staci McElroy (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs) also had 12 points, and Divine Sebuharara (Vestal/Vestal) chipped in 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Buffalo State held a narrow 27-26 lead at the intermission and scored the first seven points of the second half to create some separation. The Cardinals rallied to tie the score at 38-38. The Bengals retook the lead and held Plattsburgh scoreless for nearly five minutes to again stretch the lead. Plattsburgh closed to within four with 28 seconds remaining, but the Bengals hit three free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.
Plattsburgh hit eight 3-pointers, compared to four by the Bengals, to stay in the game, but Buffalo State held a 42-34 rebounding advantage.
Buffalo State will continue its North Country stay tomorrow with a 2 p.m. contest at Potsdam.