BUFFALO, NY—Mariah Norris (Endicott/Union-Endicott) netted a career-best 15 points and Buffalo State (12-3/7-1) broke a tie atop the SUNYAC standings with a 72-65 victory over visiting Plattsburgh (11-4/6-2) tonight at the Sports Arena.

Norris finished 5 of 9 from the field and also matched a career-high with seven rebounds.  Bianca Smiley (Amherst/Sweet Home) added 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Ashley Wallace (Lockport/Starpoint) scored 13 points to go with nine boards and three blocks.  Mary Cain (Niagara Falls/Niagara Catholic) also posted a new career-best with nine points and had seven rebounds and four steals.

After several early lead changes, Buffalo State assembled an 11-0 run to take a 10-point lead, but the Cardinals cut the deficit to 33-29 at the intermission.  Plattsburgh led briefly early in the second half, but the Bengals took the lead for good with 13:26 remaining and held on despite never leading by more than eight points the rest of the way.

The Bengals shot 39-percent from the field and just 52-percent (13 of 25) from the free throw line.  Plattsburgh hit 36-percent from the field and outscored the Bengals 18-3 from 3-point range.  Both teams committed 19 turnovers, but Buffalo State dominated inside, outscoring Plattsburgh 42-28 in the paint and posting a 56-42 rebounding advantage.

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