Pioneers Storm Back to Down Keuka

The Alfred State men's basketball team rallied back to defeat Keuka 75-74 in their first contest of 2018. The Pioneers trailed by as many as nine in the 2nd half and trailed by seven, 69-62, with just under five minutes remaining.

Keuka led 33-27 at the half and pushed the lead to as many as nine early in the 2nd half. The Pioneers kept trying to claw back into the game but could never get closer than four until the final five minutes. The blue & gold finally tied the game at 71-71 when Alexshay Pearce (Rochester/Charlotte) hit a lay-up with 1:30 remaining in the contest. Greg Tyler made two foul shots to give the Wolves back the lead but Robbie Adams (Jasper Troupsburg) answered with two foul shots with 1:02 remaining to tie it back up. Dylan Doupe made one of two foul shots with 40 seconds left leaving the door open for the Pioneers.

After a missed shot on the ensuing possession, Dante Jordan (New York/Law & Public) grabbed the offensive rebound and scored his first basket of the game with 21 seconds left to give the Pioneers their first lead 75-74. After a timeout, Keuka drew up a play and a last second attempt was blocked by Jordan to seal the victory.

Pearce led the Pioneers with 20 points while Juwan Tolivar (Buffalo/McKinley) finished with 10 points, 10 assists, and six boards. Adams came off the bench and had nine points, Marcus Rhett (Middletown) added eight, and Tahaij Lewis (Rochester/Greece Olympia).

The Pioneers shot 46.6% from the field (27 for 58), was only 2 for 16 from three, and shot 67.9% (19 for 28). Alfred State held a huge 43 to 26 advantage on the boards.

Cliff Stevens led Keuka with 13 points while Trevor Powell finished with 12. Sam Brown added 11 points and Ryder Mansfield had 10. The Wolves shot 46.2% from the field, 47.4% (9 for 19) from three, and 63% from the foul line. Keuka turned the ball over 20 times.

The Pioneers are back in action on Sunday when they travel to SUNY Poly for a 4 p.m. tip-off with the Wildcats.