Pioneers Take Care Of Business In Opening Round Of AMCC Tournament

Alfred, NY - The Alfred State men's basketball team defeated Penn.-St Altoona, 100-72 in the first round of the AMCC Tournament. The Pioneers eclipsed the century mark for the third time this season. The No. 3 Pioneers advance to the Final Four of the AMCC Tournament. 

Cody Schneider led the way with 25 points and six steals. Dylan Perry stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Ryan Rosa chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds and Paris Jamison added 15 points and four assists.  

Schneider got the day started with a layup and a three-pointer in the first minute of this game. Another shot from downtown by Schneider gave the Pioneers a 12-7 lead with 14:53 left in the first half. The Lions went on a quick 9-3 and took a 16-15 lead with 12:13 left. The Lions lead didn't last long as Zy Switzer connected on a three-pointer a few possessions later. With 11:14 left in the half, a steal from Schneider led to a transition layup by Jamison. Following a layup from Penn St.- Altoona, Perry snuck into the paint for a pull-up jumper with 7:55 remaining. The Pioneers now led 28-27. A three-pointer from the Lions put them up 38-34 with 2:50 remaining. A couple possessions later, Perry found Rosa for a corner three to give them a 41-38 lead with 1:22 remaining. In the final seconds of the half, Michael Miller drove baseline and kicked out to Rosa for another three-pointer at the buzzer to head into the break. The Pioneers ended the half on a 10-2 run, and they led 44-41 at the half.  

The Pioneers started the second half with a pair of free throws from Miller. With 17:39 left in the game Rosa spotted Jamison in transition for a layup. The Lions went on a 9-0 run to knot the game at 51. Alfred State ballooned this game with a 23-2 run, highlighted by a pair of threes from Perry. The Pioneers led 74-53 with 10:32 left. Perry walked into two more three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to bring Alfred State back up 21, 80-59 with 8:50 left. Schneider kept the fire going by converting on a 4-point play a couple possessions later. A few minutes later Schneider found Jamison again in transition for a layup. The Pioneers tallied 25 assists in this game with all starters having at least four. The Pioneers continued their great play and they won 100-72. 

The No.3 Pioneers are back in action for the second round of the AMCC Tournament on Friday, February 23rd as they face No.2 Penn St. Behrend at La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA. The Pioneers dropped the season series against Behrend 0-2. 

Written by: Ryan Rosa