Utica, NY – Freshman
Miles McNeill (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) made a layup with 15 seconds left in the game to help the Utica College men's basketball team defeat Empire 8 opponent Alfred University at home on Tuesday, 62-61.
The Pioneers have now won two in a row, as they improve to 2-10 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) led the way with his second straight double-double (fourth of the season) finishing with 17 points, 15 boards, and a career-high seven blocks.
UC jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the first three minutes of the game. Alfred fired back with three 3-point field goals in just 2:28 to make the score 17-14, in favor of Utica, with 14:45 remaining in the first half. The Pioneers finished out the half on an 11-0 run in the final four minutes to take a 38-30 lead into the locker room.
Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) was the leading scorer at the break with 11 points while Iton ended the half with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) was given the task to guard Alfred's leading scorer, Tyler Seelman (16.2 ppg), and held Seelman scoreless throughout the first half.
Just two minutes into the second half, Utica earned its largest lead of the game (10 points) with a score of 42-32. The Saxons went on a 13-5 run over the span of 4:47, to cut the Pioneer lead down to one point, 49-48, with 7:38 remaining in regulation. Five consecutive made free throws helped give Alfred a 61-60 lead, with only 55 seconds left in the game. Out of a timeout,
Miles McNeill (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) drove to the basket and scored what became the game-winning layup with 15 seconds left on the clock.
Iton led the way with his strong play on both ends of the court, finishing with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and a career-high of seven blocks. Remley made four 3-point field goals on his way to scoring 17 points in the game.
Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) scored nine points in the contest, while McNeill added eight points of his own.
Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) registered four assists and held Alfred's top scorer, Seelman, to just seven total points.
Alfred University (5-8 overall, 2-2 Empire 8) was led by Scotty Stopera, as he scored 12 points going 4-for-4 from 3-point territory. All of Stopera's points were registered in the first six minutes of the game. Tristin Hook led the team in rebounding, as he finished with 10 points and seven boards.
The Pioneers head on the road for their next contest, as they face conference opponent Nazareth College on Thursday. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
