Ryan taking on defense

Pioneers Tame Tigers to Start 2020

The Alfred State men's basketball team started 2020 off right with a tight 60-58 victory at RIT on Thursday afternoon.

Ryan Gentile (Spencerport) hit a driving lay-up with seven seconds left to break a 57-57 tie to give the Pioneers the lead for good. He finished the three point play to make it a 60-57 advantage. RIT hit the first of two foul shots with two seconds left but was unable to grab the offensive rebound after missing the second attempt.

The game featured 10 ties and five lead changes. The Tigers jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game but the Pioneers fought back and took the lead into halftime, 29-26 with a couple late baskets. The blue & gold led for most of the 2nd half but RIT kept fighting back to tie it. After a Tiger turnover and an Alfred State turnover, Josh Reding (Spencerport) was able to find Gentile who took the ball up hard and was able to get the game-winning three point play.

Gentile led Alfred State with 17 points. Reding and Markel Jenkins (Elmira) both added 10 points. Tavion Williams (Bronx/FDA) pulled down a team high eight boards.

The blue & gold are back in action at home on Saturday when they return to AMCC play for a 2 p.m. contest vs. Mt. Aloysius.