Alfred, NY -- The Utica College men's basketball team won its second contest in a row, defeating conference opponent Alfred University, 66-62. The Pioneers improve to 8-15 overall, and are 8-6 in the Empire 8.

The Pioneers went on a 9-3 run in the first 3:09 of the game to hold an early six point lead. Alfred answered with a 13-0 run of its own in the span of 5:13 to take a 16-9 lead with 11:16 remaining in the first half. Utica outscored the Saxons 15-8 in the final six minutes of the half making the score 33-29, in favor of Alfred, going into the locker rooms. Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) led all scorers with 12 points and added eight rebounds heading into halftime.

The teams went back and forth throughout the first four minutes of the second half as the score read 40-38, in favor of Alfred, with 15:42 on the clock. The Saxons then went on a 9-2 run in just 1:41 to take a 49-40 lead with 13:34 remaining in the second half. UC came right back with a 10-0 run of its own in a span of 2:10 to take the lead, making the score 50-49 with 10:54 left in the game. The Pioneers closed the game out on a 9-3 run in the final 4:21, earning the four point victory.

Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) led the team to victory on his season-high 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) recorded a double-double in the contest, finishing with 18 points, 13 boards, and four blocks. Christian Rodriguez (Queens, NY/Cayuga Community College) came off the bench and scored double digit points for the second time in three games, tallying 10 points.

The Pioneers shot 56% from the floor in the second half in their comeback efforts to win the game. UC shot 46.9% from the field while holding Alfred's shooting percentage to 37.9% in the contest. The Pioneers controlled the interior throughout the game, as they outscored Alfred 34-26 in the painted area.

Alfred (9-14 overall, 6-8 E8) was led in scoring by Tyler Seelman's 17 points. Sage Brown led the team in rebounds as he grabbed 12 boards to go with his six points. Dom LeMorta added 11 points for the Saxons, coming off the bench.

The Pioneers return to action on Valentine's Day, February 14th, as they play host to Ithaca College (8-14 overall, 4-10 E8) for another key Empire 8 matchup. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 8 p.m.