HAMBURG, N.Y. (Interstat) — Buffalo State will be the visiting team against Pennsylvania College, the home team, in a men’s NCAA Division III basketball game Saturday at the MBB Hilbert Tournament in Hamburg, N.Y. Both teams enter with 0-1 records and will be seeking their first win of the season. The Bengals will occupy the visiting bench, while the Wildcats are listed as the home team.

Buffalo State, known as the Bengals, is coming off a 66-62 loss to Springfield in its most recent game. Oryan DeJesus is a player to watch for the Bengals after posting nine points, five rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes in that contest. Bryce Williams added 10 points and five assists in 34 minutes, while Michael Smith had two points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Buffalo State will look for improved offensive execution after scoring 62 points in its opener.

Pennsylvania College, nicknamed the Wildcats, also is 0-1 after a 105-98 loss at Hilbert in its most recent game. Peyton Murphy is a player to watch for the Wildcats after scoring 29 points with six rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes. Clyde Frasier added 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes, and Alex Cercado contributed 20 points, three rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes. Pennsylvania College scored 98 points in the loss but allowed 105 and will seek a stronger defensive effort. The Wildcats also will look to turn Murphy’s scoring into a complete offensive effort and get similar production from Frasier and Cercado.

The matchup features two teams trying to establish rhythm early in the season. DeJesus gives Buffalo State a versatile guard who can contribute in several areas, while Murphy gives Pennsylvania College a high-scoring backcourt option. The Bengals will need to account for Murphy’s ability to score and create for teammates after his 29-point effort. The Wildcats will focus on limiting DeJesus and Buffalo State’s perimeter players.

Buffalo State’s upcoming schedule includes games against Alfred, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Brockport, Houghton, Keuka, SUNY Delhi, Morrisville State, Oswego State, Olivet and SUNY Cortland. Pennsylvania College’s upcoming slate includes Penn State-Altoona, Misericordia, Penn St.-Hazleton, King’s (Pa.), Penn St.-Shenango, Keystone, Notre Dame (MD), Elmira, DePauw and Carlow. The Bengals and Wildcats will each look to use the tournament setting to build momentum before returning to their respective schedules.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Pennsylvania College 75, Buffalo State 65. Interstat’s ELO system is projecting Buffalo State with a 70.7 percent probability to win.