UTICA,NY-  The Alfred University men’s basketball team dropped a 86-74 decision to conference foe Utica College, Saturday afternoon.

Senior forward Brett Dennis (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) led the Saxons in the first half, scoring 11 points.  AU trailed at the half, 48-34.

AU could not overcome the halftime deficit, although they outscored the Pioneers 40-38 in the second half of the match. For the game, Alfred shot 45 percent from the field, 32 percent from the 3-point line, and 83 percent from the line.

Junior guard Thomas Tsatsis (Neponsit, NY/Townsend Harris) paced the Saxons with a team-high 15 points and a team-high five rebounds.  Dennis finished with 13 points and senior forward Sean Curran (Honesdale, PA/Honesdale) and junior forward Jason Ruback (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) also finished with eight points apiece.

AU (2-9, 0-3 Empire 8) returns to McLane Center, Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m.