The Morrisville State College men’s basketball team went wire-to-wire for the second straight year with the Saxons, and came away victorious, defeating visiting Alfred University 77-76 in an overtime non-conference thriller Saturday afternoon on its home court.
The win pulls the Mustangs even at 4-4 overall, while Alfred dropped to 2-6.
Five netted double figures for the Mustangs, including Brandon Hanks (Syracuse, N.Y.) who registered a team best 18 points, adding eight rebounds, three assists and three steals to his tallies. Jordan Prior (Syracuse, N.Y.) came off the bench to contribute 15, hitting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, as Rhamel Williams (Bronx, N.Y.) chipped in 13, grabbing a team high nine boards and four steals. Jailaan Kinsey (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Kucjok Ater (Syracuse, N.Y.) each posted 11.
Sean Curran led all scorers with 24 points for the Saxons, hitting 7-of-10 from long range, while dishing out three assists. Brett Dennis added 14, recording the double-double with 12 boards, while Steve Lothridge added 11 points in the Alfred efforts.
Morrisville State held a three point advantage just minutes into the contest before Curran hit a three to put the visitors ahead by a two point margin. Alfred outscored the Mustangs 21-11 over the next five minutes to take an 11 point lead, leading to a 50-40 advantage at the halftime break. The Saxons shot 55.3 percent from the floor in the first half, hitting 21-of-38 shots, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Alfred maintained the double digit lead until 6:07 into the second period when Morrisville State went on an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to cut the deficit to one with 10:46 to go.
The Mustangs hit two straight from downtown and converted four free throws to take their first lead of the contest, since the beginning of the game, at the 3:53 mark.
Hanks put Morrisville State ahead 72-70 with just over two minutes to go, but Dalton Walsh hit a jumper in the paint to tie the contest with 1:28 remaining, forcing the overtime period.
Alfred jumped out to a four point advantage in the extra frame, but Ater hit 3-of-4 free throws to bring the Mustangs to back within one, and Hanks found Brandon Henry (Harlem, N.Y.) for an open lay-up with 1:17 to go to give Morrisville State the 77-76 lead and eventual win.
The Mustangs were 23-for-60 from the floor (38.3%) and hit 22-of-30 free throws (73.3%) in the contest, while Alfred hit 45.6% from the floor on the day on 31-of-68 shots.
Morrisville State returns to the court Saturday, Dec. 15, hosting Hamilton College at 3 p.m. before the Christmas break.