MINNEAPOLIS—Buffalo State’s men’s basketball team climbed three spots in this week’s D3Hoops.com national poll to the No. 16 ranking after its 2-0 start.

The Bengals have outscored their opponents 235-143 in their first two games, defeating D’Youville, 141-93, and rolling Pitt-Bradford, 94-50.  Buffalo State has had outstanding scoring depth with five players averaging in double-figures, led by preseason All-American Jake Simmons (Rochester/School of the Arts) with 22.5 points-per-game.

Senior forward Ahmed Nagaya (Bronx/Astor Collegiate) has picked up where he left off in the playoffs last season, averaging 14.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, and freshman Roderick Epps (Uniondale/Uniondale) has supported the Bengals’ up-tempo attack, averaging 11.5 points.

Junior Justin Mitchell (Buffalo/Bishop Timon) has also averaged 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, and sophomore guard Nico McLean (Amherst/Sweet Home) is averaging 10.0 points.  Senior guard Norman Simmons (Rochester/East) has run the point, dishing out 14 assists, while averaging 8.5 points.

Buffalo State will take its show on the road this week, beginning with a non-conference game at Houghton tonight at 8 p.m.  The Bengals will open SUNYAC play this Friday and Saturday at Oneonta and New Paltz respectively.