Clutch free throw shooting proved to be key as the Alfred University men’s basketball team traveled to Rochester Friday night. The Saxons improved to 4-4 in conference play and 10-9 overall, after defeating Nazareth College, 63-62.
After going into the locker room down, 30-27, at halftime, AU shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half, to outscore Nazareth, 36-32. With just seconds remaining in the game, and a one-point deficit, junior guard Chris Lemasters (Mansfield, PA/Mansfield) was fouled and awarded two free throw attempts, sinking both and giving AU the one-point advantage they needed. The Saxons finished the game shooting 84 percent from the charity strike.
Sophomore center Dillon Stein (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) was the major force for AU shooting 50 percent from the field (6-12) to finish with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard Quentin Bryant (Buffalo, NY/Seneca Vocational) also chipped in, scoring 13 points and making four steals.
Others helping the Saxon cause included junior forward Ryan Hallett (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) who grabbed seven rebounds, and Lemasters and junior forward Todd Dersham (Campbell, NY/Campbell-Savona), who scored eight and seven points respectively.
Freshman guard Joe Canori (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) had 16 points and four rebounds to lead Nazareth (7-12, 2-6 Empire 8). Junior guard Mike DeBlois (Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manilus) chipped in with nine points and two assists.
The Saxons will be in action next on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m., at RIT. Nazareth will host St. John Fisher on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m.