UTICA, NY - The Alfred University men's basketball team began their weekend with a 84-76 loss to Utica University on Friday evening. 

Zion Baitey (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) led Alfred University with a double-double performance that consisted of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Gennaro Picco (Hornell, NY/Hornell) finished the game with 17 points, shooting 7-of-8 from the field. Franlys Valenzuela (Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic/San Ysidro) added 15 points for AU. 

The Pioneers were the first to get on the scoreboard, but a deep shot from Valenzuela opened scoring for Alfred University. Picco and Valenzuela combined for AU's first 13 points to keep the Saxons within reach. A layup by Tyler Curran (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) had Alfred University trailing by just one point with under nine minutes to play in the first half. Utica outscored Alfred University by a 13-6 margin to close out the first half before going into the break with a 44-35 advantage. 

Early baskets from Nolan Gilbert (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) and Valenzuela cut into Alfred University's deficit in the second half. The Pioneers answered with a burst of scoring to lead by as many as 14 points with under 15 minutes remaining. Baitey scored seven points as part of a 10-3 run to bring the Saxons within eight points, but Utica managed to score four points across the final minute of action to hold on for the win.

Alfred University will next compete at SUNY Poly on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM.