ROCHESTER, NY – RIT men’s basketball blew a second-half lead as Alfred University defeated the Tigers 73-70 on Friday evening at Clark Gymnasium. The loss all but locks RIT into fourth place in the Empire 8 standings ensuring a first-round game versus top-seeded St. John Fisher College in next week’s Empire 8 Tournament.

 

RIT was hot early on, leading 17-4 after five minutes of play. Barrett Zeinfeld (Tuscon, AZ/Catalina Foothills) (Tucson, AZ/Catalina Foothills) was sizzling from the floor early on, scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including four three-pointers. He finished the half with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting and five three pointers.

The Tigers took their biggest lead of 13 points when Barrett Zeinfeld (Tuscon, AZ/Catalina Foothills) nailed a three-pointer, giving RIT a 20-7 lead.

Alfred responded and cut RIT’s lead down to five points when Garlen Patt hit a three-pointer, making the score 28-23.

RIT built their lead back to nine points late in the half but Ryan Hallett’s three-pointer at the buzzer cut RIT’s lead to 42-36.

RIT shot 56% from the floor in the first half on 14-of-25 from the floor. The Tigers hit seven three-pointers and were 7 of 8 from the foul line. Fran Snyder (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon St. Jude) (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon St. Jude) had nine points to go along with Zeinfeld’s 19 points.

Alfred shot 38.9% from the floor on 14-of-36 shooting. The Saxons were 8 of 13 from three-point land and 0 for 1 from the charity stripe. Ryan Hallett led Alfred with 11 points off the bench.

Alfred went on an 11-4 run to open the second half, pulling to within one point on a three-pointer by Ryan Hallett. Hallett's two free throws with 12:39 tied the score at 49-49.

The Tigers ran off six straight points and built their lead to 55-49 on a free throw by Fran Snyder (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon St. Jude), the largest lead of the half by the Tigers.

From that point on Alfred took control of the game, combining tough play inside and timely shooting from the perimeter.

The Saxons went on an 11-0 run, taking their first lead of the game on a jumper inside from Dillon Stein.

Quentin Bryant's three-pointer with 7:53 to play in regulation extended the Alfred lead to five points. After RIT cut the lead to four points Hallet nailed a jump shot with 5:45 to play, giving Alfred a 64-58 lead.

Tim Bacon (Massena, NY/Massena) (Watertown, NY) responded for RIT with a layup cutting the lead back down to four points. Each team traded possessions before Bryant drilled a deep three-pointer, giving the Saxons their biggest lead of the game at seven points.

Zeinfeld was held scoreless in the second half until the three minute mark when he made a pair of free throws. Fran Snyder (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon St. Jude) hit a pair of baskets cutting the Alfred lead to one point at 70-71.

That score would remain for the next 1:20. Alfred had their chances to extend the lead but missed some shots and turnovers kept RIT's hopes alive.

RIT also had their chances to take the lead back but turnovers and cold shooting cost the Tigers. Ryan Hallett broke the scoring drought with 21 seconds to play as he made a pair of free throws, extending the Saxons lead to 73-70.

RIT had a chance to send the game into overtime but Snyder's three-pointer at the buzzer was long off the back rim, giving Alfred the 73-70 win.

RIT will close out the regular season tomorrow afternoon when they face St. John Fisher College at 4 p.m.