John Carroll shook off the disappointing end to its season opener by blasting host Buffalo State, 89-56, in the consolation game of the Buffalo State College Coles Classic Saturday afternoon in Buffalo, New York.

On Friday night, John Carroll led by 15 points in the first half but ultimately fell to Rutgers-Newark on a last-second tip-in. Against Buffalo State Saturday, the Blue Streaks made sure there would be no drama.

The Bengals led early on by as many as five points, but when a Matt Crozier lay-up at the 8:59 mark of the opening period put John Carroll ahead by a 15-14 count, it marked the last lead change of the game. His basket was part of an 18-5 run that helped produce a 45-27 halftime advantage.

John Carroll would lead by as many as 38 points in the second half before settling upon the final margin.

Crozier paced the John Carroll (1-1) scoring effort with 15 points, while fellow freshman #Michael Hartnett# added 14 points. #Maurice Haynes# had 12 points and four steals, and #Rudy Kirbus# scored 11. 

Buffalo State (0-2) was led by Norman Simmons who tallied 14 points as the only Bengal in double digits.

Haynes and Hartnett represented John Carroll on the all-tournament team.