ALFRED, NY – A dominant second half from the Alfred University men's basketball team led to a 57-53 win over Buffalo State College on Saturday from Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.

Zion Baitey (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) led Alfred University with 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Tyler Hind (Randolph, NY/Randolph) finished the game with 14 points and three assists. Amoi Charles (Elmont, NY/H. Frank Carey) stuffed the box score with eight points, 10 rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocks.

"Great job by our team grinding out a win," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "We didn't have our best stuff, but we found a way to get it done. I am really proud of them for that."

Baitey scored the opening five points for Alfred University. The Saxons were forced to play from behind at times, but Charles and Oscar Wolter (Munich, Germany/Lycee Jean Renoir) combined for 10 points in the first half to keep the game close. A 14-0 run to close out the first half for the Bengals had Alfred University trailing 34-20 going into halftime.

The Saxons relied on points from multiple players in the early moments of the second half to cut their deficit to single-digit figures. Deep shots from Baitey and Charles tied the game with just over 13 minutes to play. Moments later, a jump shot by Kenneth Allison Jr (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) was followed by a shot from Hind to give Alfred University a one-point lead. A 7-1 run by AU had the team leading by as many as six points with just over a minute remaining. The defense limited the Bengals to just two points across the final minute to hold on for the win.

Alfred University will next travel to Albright College on Sunday, December 29 as part of the DoubleTree Invitational with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM. The Saxons will compete in either the championship or consolation the following day.