READING, PA – The Alfred University men's basketball team opened the DoubleTree Invitational with a competitive 63-61 win over Albright College on Sunday afternoon.

Tyler Hind (Randolph, NY/Randolph) led Alfred University with a team-high 19 points to go with three assists and a pair of rebounds. Amoi Charles (Elmont, NY/H. Frank Carey) finished the game with 12 points and a team-high eight boards. Robby Hicks (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) added 12 points off the bench for AU, all of which came from three-point territory.

"This was a really good win for us today," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "Albright and Coach Ferry are a terrific program, and this is a tough place to play. I thought we did a nice job staying even-keeled and together to handle some adversity and Albright playing really well in the second half."

The Saxons were forced to play from behind in the early moments of the first half, but five straight points from Hind were followed by a pair of free throws by Charles to give Alfred University their first lead of the afternoon. The Saxons relied on 15 consecutive points from beyond the arc, 12 of which came from Hicks, to maintain their lead in the opening half. A layup by Tyler Curran (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) extended the lead to double-digit figures for the Saxons. Kenneth Allison Jr (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) scored four points across the final minute of the half, as Alfred University went into halftime with a 38-26 advantage.

Consistent shooting efforts by Albright throughout the second half tied the game with under seven minutes to play. After the Lions took a brief lead, an important three-point shot by Charles tied the game once again with just over three minutes remaining. Hind scored four straight points for Alfred University to give the team a two-point lead with 65 seconds left in regulation. Gabe Eldaye (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) came away with a steal that led to a layup by Curran to ultimately close out the game with the win.

Alfred University will next close out the DoubleTree Invitational on Monday against Muhlenberg College as part of the Championship matchup with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM.