YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) -Buffalo's Rodney Pierce scored 21 points and hit 2 key jumpers and a 3-pointer late in the second half to ensure a 70-62 win over Youngstown State Saturday night.
Buffalo (1-0) led 30-24 at halftime and had trouble pulling away in the second half from Youngstown State (0-1), which briefly took the lead when Jack Liles made a jumper that made it 54-53 with 5:34 left.
Buffalo's Greg Gamble immediately hit a jumper to put the Bulls ahead to stay, and then Pierce rattled off seven straight points to put the Bulls up 62-54.
The Penguins got within five with 34 seconds left, but couldn't get closer.
Gamble scored 19 points and Calvin Betts had 12 points and 13 rebounds for Buffalo.
Sirlester Martin had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Youngstown State. Liles and Vytas Sulskis each added 10 points.
