UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team fell at home 76-70 to Alfred University on Saturday. Robert Tutein (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) and Agim Hamiti (Prishtina, Kosovo/Syracuse Academy of Science) each had a game high 21 points.
 
Utica's record moved to 5-12 overall and 2-7 in the Empire 8. UC is back in action on Monday February 1 when it takes on conference opponent St. John Fisher. The contest is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Alfred improved to 8-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play as four Saxons had more than 10 points.
 
Utica started the first two minutes of play on a 9-0 run before Alfred used a 16-7 run to tie the score 16-16. Over the rest of the first half Alfred outscored UC 19-12 to take a 35-28 lead.  The Pioneers used a 20-9 run to take a 48-44 lead in the middle of the second half but couldn't hold on as the Saxons went on a 32-22 run to end the game.
 
Tyler Seelman led the Saxons with 17 points while Jeremy Johnson was second on the team with 13 points.
 
Seamus McHugh (Latham, NY/Shaker) was third on the team with 10 points while Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) chipped in six rebounds and seven points.