Box Score Utica 86, Alfred 74 Final

Alfred, NY (1-26-13) – The Utica College men's basketball team defeated Alfred University, 86-74, Saturday afternoon in Empire 8 Conference play.  The Pioneers were led by junior forward Connor Maisch who netted a double-double with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.

UC improves to 8-12 overall while moving to 5-5 in league play and heads to Hoboken, NJ Friday, Feb. 1st to challenge Stevens Institute of Technology (8 p.m.). The Saxons drop to 5-14 on the season while 2-8 in E8 play and return to their home court Friday, Feb. 1st to face Houghton College (6 p.m.).

Alfred jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead to start the match before UC went on a 14-0 run to take a 10 point lead at 16:22. The teams traded baskets over the next five minutes as Utica held on to a ten point advantage, 20-10, halfway through the first 20 minutes of play. Maisch headed the Pioneers run with nine points, all from downtown. The home team answered with a run of its own to pull within three points of the lead, 27-24, at 10:28. Utica retaliated with a 27-13 strut to close of the half with a 54-37 cushion. Junior Chris Jeffers (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half.

Utica opened up the second half with a 16-8 push taking a 23 point lead, 70-45, with 15:17 to play. The Saxons streaked a 14-6 run late in the game however would not be enough as UC closed out a 12 point victory and are now .500 in the Empire 8.

Senior Matt Baldwin (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) and sophomore guard Aaron Nevins (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) combined for 28 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and six steals. Baldwin dropped 11 points with five boards and five dishes while Nevins added 17 points along with five boards and five assists.

The Saxons were led by Gerald Colas who scored a team-high 13 points and seven rebounds.