BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (2-2/0-1) erased a double-digit second-half deficit to take the lead, but could not hold on, dropping a 56-52 decision to visiting Oneonta (4-2/1-0) in the SUNYAC opener tonight at the Sports Arena.

Bianca Smiley (Amherst/Sweet Home) was the lone Bengal scoring in double-figures with 14 points.  Kelly Kell (Port Ewen/Kingston) added eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Oneonta used an extended 13-0 run over a span 10 minutes and 49 seconds in the first half to take a 28-16 lead into the intermission.  The Bengals battled back in the second half and Smiley hit a jumper with 4:23 remaining to give Buffalo State its first lead since the early going at 46-45.   Oneonta reclaimed the lead with a 3-pointer just under a minute later and hit six free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

Miscues plagued the Bengals all evening as 25 turnovers led to 23 Red Dragon points.  Both teams shot just 33-percent from the field with seven blocked shots each, but Oneonta committed just 15 turnovers. 

Buffalo State will host New Paltz tomorrow for another SUNYAC game at 2 p.m.