Pioneers Break Out With Convincing Win Over Alfred
Utica, N.Y. (1/20/2012) – The Utica College men’s basketball team led the entire contest on its way to a convincing 85-66 victory over Empire 8 Conference foe Alfred University on the hardwood at the Clark Athletic Center Friday night. It was a much needed win for the Pioneers (5-11, 1-5 Empire 8) who had lost nine of their last ten contests headed into evening. The Saxons, who were fresh off an impressive win over St. John Fisher last weekend, moved their record to 9-5 overall and 2-3 in the E8.
It was a true team effort for the Pioneers, who saw all five of their starters score in double-figures. Junior Matt Baldwin led the way for UC with a game-high 25 points on 6-of-12 shooting from behind the arc. Sophomore forward Chris Jeffers flirted with a triple-double, posting 15 rebounds, 11 points and six steals, while junior big man Jeff Ward came on strong with two dunks in the second half and finished the day with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Pioneers made a statement from the opening tip as they stormed out to a 15-4 lead in the first 4:04 of the contest. The visitors responded right away with a 12-6 run in a span of 4:11 to cut the UC lead to just two points, 18-16, midway through the first half. UC was able to outscore the Saxons 27-21 in the final 10:29 of the first half to take a ten point lead, 45-35, into the locker room at the half.
After a Sean Curran 3-pointer at the 10:54 marker of the second half the Saxons were able to cut their deficit to just five points, 59-54, but that proved to be as close as they would get for the rest of the way. UC answered with 21-8 run in the next 7:31 of play to seal the victory.
UC was able to net 26 points off of 18 turnovers on the evening. Freshman point guard Aaron Nevins netted 15 points and added five assists and five rebounds. Senior Reggie German registered 11 points and ten rebounds.
Alfred sophomore forward Mike Branche netted a team-high 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while senior guard Josh Parker fell just shy of a double-double recording 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Pioneers return to the hardwood on Saturday when they host Elmira College at 4 p.m.