ALFRED, NY - A high-scoring outing for the Alfred University men's basketball team resulted in a 95-80 loss against Russell Sage College on Friday evening from the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena. 
 
Tyler Curran (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) led Alfred University with a team-high 21 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. Gennaro Picco (Hornell, NY/Hornell) finished the game with 18 points and five boards. Franlys Valenzuela (Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic/San Ysidro) added 14 points for AU.
 
The Gators scored the first four points of the game to force AU to play from behind. A layup by Josh Ademiju (Elkridge, MD/Howard) was followed by a pair of successful free throws from Abdoul Toure (Brooklyn, NY/High School for Public Service) to give the Saxons their first lead of the evening. Picco scored eight consecutive points for Alfred University to extend the advantage. Moments later, scoring from Picco and Toure had AU leading by as many as 18 points with six minutes remaining in the first half. The Saxons defense held the Gators to a pair of points across the final two minutes before entering halftime with a 47-33 lead. 
 
Consecutive deep shots for Alfred University in the early moments of the second half sparked their offense. Russell Sage responded with a 12-0 run to cut their deficit to eight points with 15 minutes remaining. An additional 18-0 run by the Gators left the Saxons trailing with 10 minutes left in the game. Alfred University managed to cut Russell Sage's lead down to five points, but consistent scoring from the Gators was enough for the win.
 
Alfred University will next host Hartwick College on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM. Prior to tip-off, Alfred University Men's Basketball will celebrate Senior Day, honoring their six Saxons competing in their final collegiate seasons.