Box Score PITTSFORD, NY – A jumper by junior guard Tim Pacheco (Mount Pocono, PA/Pocono Mountain East) as time expired lifted the Alfred University men's basketball team to a thrilling 97-95 win over host St. John Fisher Saturday afternoon in Empire 8 Conference play.

Alfred led throughout, before Fisher tied the game on a four-point play with seven seconds remaining in regulation. The Cardinals' Adam Ambielli hit a three-point shot, was fouled, and sank the free throw to knot the game at 95-95, setting the stage for Pacheco's heroics. With the win, Alfred improves to 12-4 overall and 4-2 in Empire 8 play. Fisher falls to 11-6 (5-2 in league games).

Alfred led 48-42 at the half, as the Saxons shot 51 percent from the floor, making five three-point shots. Senior guard Tom Tsatsis (Neponsit, NY/Townsend Harris) and sophomore guard Jerry Kincel (Moosic, PA/Riverside) each netted seven points before intermission. AU led by as many as 12 points in the second half and never trailed, holding the lead until Ambielli's late four-point play.

For the game, AU shot 49 percent from the floor, made six three-point shots, and nailed 23 of 29 free-throw attempts. Poor free-throw shooting by Fisher was the difference, as the Cardinals made only 30 of 45 tries from the line, while making 46 percent from the field. Alfred outrebounded Fisher, 44-34.

Tsatsis finished with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Kincel added 14 points and five board. Pacheco had 10 points and a pair of assists; freshman guard Tyler Seelman (Lorton, VA/Hayfield Secondary) had 12 points; and junior center Dalton Walsh (Stockton, NY/Cassadaga Valley) had 11 points and five rebounds.

Chaz Lott had 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals and Tyler Hart had 15 points to lead Fisher.

Alfred is in action next on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. at home against Houghton.