Pioneers Drop Battle with Monroe

The Alfred State College men's basketball team gave Monroe CC all they could handle but came up short in a 89-79 contest on Thursday.  The #6 ranked Tribunes improve to 24-5 overall and 12-1 in WNYAC play while the Pioneers are now 16-12 and 7-6 in the WNYAC.

Monroe went on a 7-0 run to break a 49-49 tie and never gave back the lead.  Prior to the run the contest featured eight tied scores and 13 lead changes.

Jeron Belin led MCC with 22 points while Kareem Brown chipped in 16.  Antonio Williams came off the bench and finished with 15 rebounds and 14 boards while Mark Lake chipped in 10.

Travis Brannen (Elmira Free) was 13 for 17 from the field and had a game-high 28 points.  Neil Wilson (Ft. Worth, TX) finished with 17 while Dan Foley (Irondequoit) added 11 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.  Chris Lorenzo (Syracuse/Corcoran) chipped in eight points and 12 assists.

Monroe held a 44 to 32 advantage on the boards including a 24 to 12 lead on the offensive glass.  MCC shot 41.8% from the field, 36% (9 for 25) from three, and 75% from the foul line.  ASC shot 53.3% from the field, just 23.5% (4 fof 17) from three, and 61.1% from the foul line.

Alfred State wraps up the regular season on Saturday with a 1 p.m. home contest versus Jamestown CC.