After trailing by three at halftime, the Saxons (2-1 0-0 Empire 8) came out strong in the second half outscoring Hilbert 54-43. AU shot 52 percent from the field in the second half and 60 percent from behind the arc to regain the lead.
Junior guard Quentin Bryant (Buffalo/Seneca Vocational) had a game high 31 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists in his home debut as a Saxon. Sophomore center Dillon Stein (N. Huntington, PA/Norwin) dominated the paint netting 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
Junior Ryan Hallett (Caledonia/Caledonia-Mumford) and sophomore Ryan Clemenson (Ovid/South Seneca) also stepped up big for AU scoring 19 and 11 points respectively. Junior guard Chris Lemasters (Mansfield, PA/Mansfield) dished out seven assists for the Saxons.
Senior guard Sam Gioia (West Seneca/West Seneca West) scored 14 points and freshman guard Dallas Reinard (Smethport, PA/Smethport) netted 13 to lead the way for Hilbert (0-3). Sophomore forward Keon Rembert (Brooklyn/Archbishop Walsh) finished the game with 11 points and nine rebounds.
AU men’s basketball will be in action next on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. home against Allegheny College. Hilbert College plays next on Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. at LaRoche College.