Box Score ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team downed visiting Nazareth College, 99-87, Tuesday evening in their Empire 8 season opener.

Nazareth got in front of Alfred 13-7 with 15:08 left in the first half, until senior forward Jason Ruback (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) topped off a 14-2 Alfred run with a 3-pointer. This gave AU a 21-17 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. The Saxons headed into intermission ahead 45-41.

Despite the constant full-court press, and 14-point deficit, the Golden Flyers worked to come as close as three points (90-87) inside two minutes in regulation before the Saxons pulled away, going on a 9-0 run, for the win.

For the game, Alfred outshot Nazareth from the field with 49 percent compared to their 48 percent, and from beyond the arc with 52 percent (13-for-25) to their 13 percent (one-for-eight).

Senior guard Thomas Tsatsis (Neponsit, NY/Townsend Harris) paced AU with 17 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes of play. Junior guard Mike Snyder (Pulaski, NY/Pulaski) shot five-for-five from the three-point line, scoring 16 points. Sophomore guard Jerry Kincel (Moosic, PA/Riverside) and freshman guard Dylan Molloy (Clifton Park, Shenendehowa) both added 12 points apiece, while senior forward Steve Lothridge (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa (OCC)) pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.

Alfred (8-2, 1-0 Empire 8) resumes conference play on Friday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. against Ithaca College.