The John Carroll University men's basketball team finished their opening weekend at the Buffalo State Coles Classic with a win over the Buffalo State on Saturday night, defeating the Bengals 99-94.

The Blue Streaks improve to 2-0 on the season, while Buffalo State falls to 0-1.  

The Bengals were quick to take the momentum, outscoring the Blue Streaks 14-7 within the first four minutes of the game (16:08). JCU then responded with an 11-2 run to regain the lead (18-16). Connor Fitzgerald, who finished the first half with 21 points, led the run with five. 

John Carroll's lead only grew from there. The Blue Streaks managed to hold a game-high 14-point lead (52-38) with 3:15 left in the half. However, Buffalo State came back to within six points of John Carroll by halftime (53-47).

Despite the Blue Streaks leading for the entire second half, the Bengals did not make it easy. Buffalo State came to within one point of the Blue Streaks three times in the last four minutes of the game. But in the final 30 seconds of the regulation with both teams being forced to foul, Sean Flannery and Jackson Sartain made a combined three trips to the charity stripe, where they went 6-6 and sealed the deal for John Carroll.   

Six Blue Streaks finished the game in double digits for scoring. Fitzgerald led the JCU offense with a career-high 21 points, while Sartain and Flannery followed with 17 and 16. Greg Parella also finished the night with a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in addition to Jimmy Berger and Luke Hippler each adding 12 points.

For their performances all weekend, Sartain and Berger were named to the all-tournament team. Berger was also named the tournament MVP. Sartain finished the classic leading the team with 36 points, shooting .370 (10-27) from beyond the arc. Berger tallied just one point shy of Sartain (35) and shot .556 from the field. The junior also added three blocks. 

John Carroll will next travel to Christopher Newport to compete in their invitational on November 24-25. Tipoff for game one on the 24th against Thomas More is set for 2 p.m.