Pioneers Return Home and Pick Up Win over Owls

The Alfred State men's basketball team returned home for the first time in over a month and won a defensive battle vs. Maine Presque Isle on Wednesday evening. The blue & gold improved to 11-5 on the year with a 54-46 victory.

UMPI led 12-11 with 14 minutes left when the Pioneers went on a 8-0 run and never gave up the lead. Juwan Toliver (Buffalo/McKinley) hit a running three-pointer as time expired to give Alfred State a 32-21 lead at the half. The Pioneers led by as many as 13 in the 2nd half but the Owls cut the lead 51-45 with 2:29 remaining. UMPI would not get any closer.

Tolliver led the blue & gold with 10 points, six assists, and five boards. Alexshay Pearce (Rochester/Charlotte) finished with eight points and a team high 10 boards. Marcus Rhett (Middletown), Robbie Adams (Jasper Troupsburg), and Tahaij Lewis (Rochester/Greece Olympia) all finished with eight points.

The Pioneers shot 39.6% from the field for the game and hit 60% of their foul shots (12 for 19 in the 2nd half). The team held a 40 to 34 advantage on the boards.

Deandre Duncombe led the Owls (7-9) with 12 points while Kevin Collins added nine. Anthony Chaco had seven points and eight boards while Maurice Harris had seven points and seven rebounds. The Owls shot 31% for the game, hit 6 of 29 three-point attempts, and was 4 for 6 from the foul line.

The Pioneers are back in action on Sunday when they battle SUNY Delhi at 4 p.m.