The Lady Bengals took the road and went to Oneonta to try to avenge a loss to the Red Dragons from earlier in the season and try to snap the six-game skid on Friday night. However, a slow start for the Lady Bengals and the Red Dragons handed Buffalo State its seventh straight defeat, 63-47.

Halfway into the first quarter, the Bengals were down by only two points. The two teams traded missed jumpers and rebounds. Then with 2:58 left in the opening quarter, Bengals senior guard Shyasha Spencer hit 1 of 2 free throws to cut it to one.

The one-point deficit wouldn’t turn in the Bengals’ favor. The Red Dragons went on a 10-0 run to close out the quarter and held a 16-5 lead.

The Bengals hoped that the stoppage of play would cool the Red Dragons, but they were spitting fire on all cylinders to start the quarter. The Red Dragons started the quarter off on an 11-0 run, ballooning the overall run to 21-0. Bengals junior guard Caleh McLean was finally able to stop the run at the 5:56 mark of the second quarter. At the halfway mark of the game, the Bengals were barely able to get over the double-digit threshold. The Red Dragons led 32-13.

The repetitive theme of runs continued to start the third frame. Oneonta got the ball rolling with an 8-0 run in the first 2:54 of the third quarter. At the end of three, the Red Dragons were in control. Oneonta’s lead was 51-28.

The fourth quarter was the best quarter for the Bengals, as they outscored Oneonta 19-12. But it was too little, too late. Oneonta came out victorious, 63-47, thus sweeping the season series.

McLean led all scorers on Friday with 16 points. The New Rochelle native was perfect from beyond the arc and at the line. McCullough was able to get another double-double in the losing effort; she had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The scoring was balanced for the Red Dragons. The highest scorer was guard Cara Adams with only nine points.

Numerous things will have to go right for the Bengals if they want to make the playoffs. Only the top six in the conference make the playoffs and Buffalo State finds themselves in ninth place. Brockport is currently clinging on to that final spot as they are 6-8 in SUNYAC play.

Next up for the Buffalo State Bengals (6-15 overall, 3-11 SUNYAC) are the New Paltz Hawks (12-7, 9-4) on Saturday, Feb. 3 in New Paltz. The Bengals have dropped seven straight while the Hawks have won seven straight. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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