BUFFALO, N.Y. – Katie Villarini scored 20 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out four assists as the Buffalo State women's basketball team defeated SUNYAC leader Cortland, 65-58, in a league game at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. 
 
Buffalo State improved to 14-8 overall and moved into a tie for third in the league standings with an 11-5 mark. Cortland suffered its second straight loss and is now 18-4 overall and 14-2 in the conference. 
 
Maggie Malone (Cornwall) led Cortland with 16 points and she also recorded nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Corinne Miedreich (Pearl River) finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Sarah Tully (East Aurora) notched her second straight double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tully also had three assists and four steals. Casey Travers (Manorville/Eastport-South Manor) chipped in with eight points. 
 
In addition to Villarini's double-double, Tashawni Cornfield also hit double figures in scoring and rebounding for the Bengals with 11 points and 10 caroms. Brianna Smith totaled 10 points and three assists. 
 
Cortland didn't trail in the first half, but the score was tight throughout the opening 20 minutes. The Red Dragons led 15-14 after one period and 26-25 at halftime. 
 
Buffalo State took its first lead at 29-26 on a Smith 3-pointer early in the third quarter. The Bengals opened up a 42-35 lead with less than two minutes left in the third and led 42-37 entering the fourth. 
 
Cortland scored the first seven points of the final quarter on a Julia Siler (Seaford) layup, a Malone 3-pointer and a Tully jumper to go up 44-42, and the Red Dragons held their final lead at 47-46 on a Miedreich 3-pointer with 6:28 left. 
 
Over the next five and a half minutes, however, Buffalo State outscored Cortland 16-5, paced by five points from Cornfield and four by Villarini, and the Bengals led 62-52 with 51 seconds remaining. Stef Gera (Auburn) hit two 3-pointers to get the Red Dragons back within five, 63-58, but Villarini made two free throws with 23 seconds left to compete a 9-for-9 night on the charity stripe and close out the victory. 
 
Cortland and Buffalo State will meet again Friday in Cortland at 5:30 p.m.