FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Alfred University men’s basketball team fell to Framingham State, on the road Sunday afternoon, in a 57-54 decision.

Senior forward Brett Dennis (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) and junior guard Thomas Tsatsis (Neponsit, NY/Townsend Harris) jump started the Saxons in the first half leading both teams with seven points apiece.  Alfred (2-7, 0-1 Empire 8) played Framingham even as they went into intermission tied at 24-24.

In the second half, Framingham was able to jump ahead and control the lead for most of the half. Senior guard Tim Costello (Windsor, NY/Windsor) was able to convert on a 3-point play to bring the Saxons within three points (50-53), with 27 seconds left in the contest. That would be the closest AU got, as the Rams held on to finish out the game, outscoring the Saxons 33-30 to give them the edge.  For the game, Alfred shot 34 percent from the field, 23 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 48 percent from the foul line.

Dennis (team-best seven rebounds) and Tsatsis finished the game each scoring a game-high 10 points. Sophomore guard Tim Pacheco (Mt. Pocono, PA/Pocono Mountain East) also finished with eight points and four rebounds. Sophomore center Dalton Walsh (Stockton, NY/Cassadaga Valley) scored seven points and pulled down six rebounds, respectively.

The Saxons resume conference on Friday, Jan. 4, at 8 p.m. at Ithaca College.