Strong Second Half Was Not Enough Against Merchant Marine

Alfred, NY- Alfred State drops first game of the Classic 79-73 against Merchant Marine. The Pioneers will look to rebound against Clark Summit tomorrow.

Cody Schneider and Paris Jamison combined for 50 points. Schneider led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, while Jamison put in 24 points. Alfred State outscored Merchant Marine 43-32 in the second half.

Schneider opened the game with a three pointer. After a Jacob Gonzalez steal, Jamison tied the game at 4-4 with a free throw. ASC would get a few stops before Ryan Rosa made a layup off a Schneider pass to give the Pioneers their first lead. On their next time down the floor, Schneider extended the lead with a jumper, followed by a three pointer for an 11-6 lead. After that three, Jamison scored Alfred State's next four points before Schneider added another three for the 18-10 lead. Merchant Marine answered with a run that helped them take a 47-30 lead into half.

Joining the second nine minutes in, Emmanuel Leftenant got a steal for a Jamison layup to cut the Merchant Marine lead down to eight, 58-50. A few possessions later, Leftenant put in a layup and Schneider followed with a fast break dunk to keep Merchant Marine's lead at 10. Following a Jack Dignan timeout, Jamison got a steal for a layup followed by a Schneider three to make it a 66-60 game. Back-to-back threes from Leftenant and Zy Switzer and a layup from Schneider cut the lead down to three 73-70. Merchant Marine was able to hold off the Pioneers attack to get the win.