Pioneers Win OT Thriller

Alfred State outscored Keuka 16-11 in overtime as they defeated the Wolves 78-73 in a back and forth contest. The game featured nine lead changes and seven ties. The victory was Pioneers fifth in their last six games and improve the team to 8-5 on the year.

With 42 seconds remaining, DJ Billings hit a three-pointer for Keuka to give the Wolves a 62-61 lead. Alfred State went down the court and Tahaij Lewis (Rochester/Greece Olympia) was fouled and sent to the line with 26.6 left. Lewis hit the first to tie the game and the second foul shot hung on the rim but fell off to allow Keuka one last chance in regulation. An off balanced three at the buzzer was short and the two teams needed five more minutes to decide the victor.

Keuka scored the first two points of the extra frame on a pair of foul shots by David Oliveras but the Pioneers answered with a 10-2 run to take command. Kevin Goode (Bishop Kearney) hit a three to start the run and Dante Jordan (New York/Law & Public) scored four of the games next six points to give the team a 69-66 lead. Juwan Toliver (Buffalo/McKinley) hit a pair of foul shots to up the lead to five with just over two minutes left. Goode followed with a pair of foul shots and a fast break lay-up to push the lead to nine, 75-66, with just under a minute left. A couple of last minute three's by Keuka cut into the lead but the Wolves never would get any closer than five.

Jordan led five Pioneers in double figures with 19 points and seven rebounds. Goode came off the bench and had 16, Toliver finished with 15 points, nine assists, and six steals, and Josh Reding (Rochester/Spencerport) finished with 15. Lewis rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10. The Pioneer defense was key as they forced Keuka into 27 turnovers.

Trevor Powell led Keuka (4-5) with 26 points and eight rebounds while Ryder Mansfield finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds. The Wolves held a 39-31 advantage on the boards.

Alfred State shot 45% (27 for 60) from the floor, 23.8% from three (5 for 21), and 61.3% from the line (19 for 31) while Keuka shot 46.3% from the floor (25 for 54), 39.3% from three (39.3%), and 75% form the line (12 for 16).

The Pioneers are right back on the court on Monday when they host SUNY Poly for a 3 p.m. contest.