Pioneers drop season opener to Buffalo State 138-84

Nov. 18, 2005
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The 2005-06 men's basketball season got underway Friday (Nov. 18) evening as Marietta went up against host Buffalo State (N.Y.) in the opening round of the Coles Classic. The Bengals' athleticism proved to be too much for the Pioneers, as they struggled from long range on opening night. The result was a 138-84 victory in favor of the home team.

The 138 points was a new school record for Buffalo State and it is also the most points ever given up by a Marietta team.

The Bengals (1-0) opened the game with a three-pointer, which was quickly matched by Craig Stewart (Circleville). Marietta took a 4-3 lead with a free throw by sophomore Kyle Reed (Fairbanks/Northwestern). The only other lead the Pioneers would have the rest of the evening was minutes later when they went ahead 12-11 on a Steve Luckhardt (Shadyside) three-pointer.

From there, it was all Bengals, as they led by 26 at the half, 73-47. Buffalo State extended its lead to as many as 62 points before time ran out on a 138-84 victory.

The Bengals shot 57-of-84 (.679) from the floor, including 6-of-12 (.500) from long range. Marietta, meanwhile connected on 26-of-82 (.317) from the field and 14-of-54 (.259) from beyond the arc.

The two teams combined for 75 turnovers, 40 of which came by Marietta. The Pioneers did finish with a new school record 27 steals in the loss.

All 15 Buffalo State players scored Friday evening and the team was paced by James Williams with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Six of his teammates also scored in double digits.

Marietta was led by Stewart, who connected on 7-of-18 from the floor, including 7-of-17 from long range, with 21 points. Luckhardt added 12 points, hitting 5-of-8 from the line.

Junior Ryan Wilkinson (Wilmington/Clinton Massie) and freshman Isaiah Creasap (Wooster/Northwestern) each added seven points. Reed and Creasap both had a team-high four steals.

Marietta will look to regroup against Pitt-Bradford (Pa.) in the consolation game tomorrow at 1 p.m. The Panthers are coming off a 92-72 loss to Nazareth (N.Y.)

Junior Craig Stewart had 21 points in Marietta's season opener Friday

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