DOMINICK CORSI
Special to The Leader
Since 2014, the Fredonia State Blue Devils and Buffalo State Bengals have competed in an annual, all-sports tournament named the Battle By The Lake. The Blue Devils’ men’s and women’s basketball teams were able to contribute to this year’s Battle By The Lake with their respective victories on Saturday, Feb. 4.
For The Battle By The Lake, each sport that the two teams compete in is worth two points annually. If the teams meet once in a respective season, the game would be worth two points, and if the teams face each other twice in a season, each game is worth one point.
The schools play for a trophy named the “Lake Erie Cup,” with the right to keep it on campus. The Blue Devils found themselves trailing the Bengals 8-6 for the 2022-2023 slate of the competition coming into Saturday evening. They were able to tie the series 8-8 following the sensational wins from the basketball program.
The women’s basketball team played a smooth, complete game to collect its fifth win of the season with a final score of 55-38, in favor of the Blue Devils. It was a very well-rounded effort, with Laurell Brown leading the way with 10 points, and Allie Wandell with 9.
Caitlin Snyder and Sarah Seaman both came off the bench and contributed with 8 points each. The team, led by Coach Sarah Cartmill, looks to get hot with only four games left in the season until the playoffs begin.
An anticipated rematch between the two men’s teams turned out to be another highly entertaining game. There was no shortage of scoring in this one, with the Blue Devils reaching a season high 93 points, opposed to the Bengals’ 82. With five double-digit scorers, the Blue Devils never lost the lead that they gained just five minutes into the first half.
Sophomore Aaron Collins led the way in the scoring department, pouring in 21 points and going 6 of 11 from the field. He was involved in the offense early, hitting three first half 3-pointers and also going 5 of 6 from behind the arc. This has become a regular occurrence with Fredonia State’s guards. Collins’ partner in the backcourt, AJ Knight, has been the team’s leading scorer this season. He also shot well, leading to 17 meaningful points.
Knight, a junior, said, “To be honest it’s always an emphasis for us to shoot a great percentage from three; we feel that can be our strongest weapon.”
Knight has been shooting an astounding 52.6% from behind the arc since the new year. His confidence has been building up in every game.
Knight also said, “I definitely credit my confidence to the consistency in my work on a daily basis.”
Fredonia State threes were raining down at an ultra-efficient clip of 11 of 19, including 7 of 9 in the second half.
Forward Jacob Hougan standing at 6’9” got a near double-double, falling one rebound short. He provided exceptional defense and rebounding, while also using his size to get easy post hooks against the smaller opponent.
The crowd was involved the whole way. Matt Aebersold and Lance Welker energized the crowd with timely 3-pointers. Coach Sean Smiley rallied the troops well. The Blue Devils were enthusiastic all game long, showing great personality in the win.
Matt Parkinson dropped 26 points in a valiant effort by the Bengals, who were clearly outmatched in terms of size, by the Blue Devils. The tallest Bengals are listed at 6’5”.
The Battle By The Lakes has been highly competitive over the years. Fredonia State had won the first four years of the tournament, with Buffalo State winning two after that.
“We have had a pretty competitive rivalry with Buffalo State over the years. Putting a little something extra together and having our athletic teams compete as a group and for pride adds a little more incentive,”said Matt Palisin, Fredonia’s Sports Information Office director.
There was no competition in 2020-2021 due to COVID, and last year the schools tied 16-16. Therefore no winner has been decided in three years, which can give a little extra meaning to this year’s cup.