ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men’s basketball team dropped an 86-74 decision in their second meeting with Utica College, this Saturday afternoon at the McLane Center.

The start of the game turned into a 3-point shootout as senior forward Brett Dennis (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder), senior guard Tim Costello (Windsor, NY/Windsor), and junior guard Thomas Tsatsis (Neponsit, NY/Townsend Harris) would both go three for four, two for four, and two for two beyond the arc.  The Pioneers would eventually pull away, shooting at 70 percent (7-10) from the 3-point line, and head into halftime ahead 54-37.

Alfred (5-14, 2-8 Empire 8) could not close the gap throughout the second half although they outscored Utica 37-32. For the game, AU shot 37 percent from the field, 31 percent from beyond the arc, and 63 percent from the free throw line.

Junior center Gerald Colas (Houston, TX/Cypress Ridge) led the Saxons in scoring and rebounding with 13 points and seven boards.  Dennis and Tsatsis finished with 11 and 12 points.  Junior forward Jason Ruback (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) also scored nine points and pulled down five rebounds, respectively.

Connor Maisch led the Pioneers with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.

AU returns to action, against Houghton, Saturday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m.