| 3/16/2004 10:46:28 AM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- The men's basketball team improved to 3-0 in the Empire 8 with a convincing 79-61 win over Alfred University on Friday evening at Clark Gymnasium. RIT featured three players in double figures led by Kyle Goff (Manassas, VA) who had 18. The difference was defense as RIT held Alfred to 35.1 percent shooting on the night and shot 54.2 percent from the floor.

The game was tight in the opening moments of the first half. Alfred made a couple of baskets early on and led 3-2 just a minute and a half into the contest. From about the five minute mark on the Tigers slowly built their lead up, leading by as many as 15 points late in the half. RIT's defense was stifling as they held the Saxons to 33.3 percent shooting in ther first half on 11-of-33 shooting. Goff's 13 points led RIT in the opening half as RIT shot 51.5 percent from the floor, leading 42-30.

RIT's defense continued to shine in the second half, holding Alfred to just nine field goals in 24 tries and forcing the Saxons into 11 turnovers. RIT built their biggest lead of the game at 18 points on a lay-in by Kyle Goff with just over eight minutes to play. RIT was able to hold onto their lead despite a late flurry by Alfred.

Goff's 18 points and 11 rebounds led the Tigers, while Sean Murphy (Buffalo, NY/Williamsville North) (Buffalo, NY) added 14 points. Jesse Foote (Lockwood, N.Y./Spencer-Van Ettan) (Lockwood, NY) continued his strong play, tallying 12 points, grabbing four rebounds and blocking six shots. Luis Villalongo (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee Comprehensive) (Chicopee, MA) had seven points, four rebounds and six assists, while freshman Tim Bacon (Massena, NY/Massena) (Massena, NY) turned in his best performance of the year with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Dillon Stein (N. Huntingdon, NY) led Alfred with 19 points and five rebounds. Tate Williams (N. Clarendon, VT) added 13 points and grabbed 11 caroms for the Saxons who drop to 2-12 on the season and 1-2 in the Empire 8.

RIT will host St. John Fisher College tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m.