Pearce Scores 20 vs. Villa

In a game that featured 12 lead changes and three ties, Villa Maria held on for a 76-70 victory over Alfred State. 

The Pioneers (13-8) fell behind 11-4 in the first seven minutes of the game before rallying back to take a 30-25 lead with just over two minutes left in the half. The Vikings ended the half on a 7 to 1 run to hold a 32-31 lead at the break. The blue & gold led 43-41 with 15:26 remaining but Villa scored the next six points and never gave up the lead. The Vikings biggest built the lead to 65-56 with just under five minutes remaining and the Pioneers could not get any closer than three, 65-62, the rest of the way.

Alexshay Pearce (Rochester/Charlotte) led four Pioneers in double figures with 20 points. Juwan Toliver (Buffalo/McKinley) fnished with 11 points while Dante Jordan (New York/Law & Public) and Tahaij Lewis (Rochester/Greece Olympia) each had 10. Alfred State shot 44.3% from the field, 30.8% from three, and 66.7% from the foul line. They held a 43 to 36 advantage but were slowed down by 25 turnovers.

Jay Scarbrough led four Vikings (20-5) in double figures with 21 points and 12 steals. Dominic Douglas finished with 14, Jonathan Pozo had 13, and Lonnie Taylor chipped in 11. Villa shot 41.4% from the field, 15.4% from three, and 72.2% (26 for 36) from the foul line.

The Pioneers are return home on Saturday for a 4 p.m. rematch with SUNY Delhi. The Broncos took the first match-up 78-67 on January 21st.