The Hamlton College men's basketball team closed out 2013 with a lopsided win, pounding Alfred State 82-51 Tuesday in the consolation game of Medaille College's Knee Center Holiday Tournament. The Continentals (6-4), who snapped a two-game losing streak, exploded for a season-high 51 first-half points.

Hamilton posted season-best perfromances in five categories and four players scored in double figures. Matt Hart '16 led the Continentals with 14 points in just 21 minutes and Bradley Gifford '15 recorded his fourth double-double of the year, finishing with 11 points and 15 rebounds in 23 minutes of action.

Greg Newton '14 scored 14 points and Kyle Pitman '17 contributed 10 (one short of his career high). Hamilton's defense allowed just 15 baskets and collected 16 steals – both were the team's top perfromcnes of the year – and held the Pioneers (1-11) to 37.5 percent shooting from the floor.

Gifford's 15 rebounds were a career best and he added three steals. Pitman led Hamilton with a personal-high four steals. Ajani Santos '16 matched a career high with nine points. Matt Magruder '15 pulled down a personal-high five rebounds, helping the Continentals to a 44-28 advantage on the boards. Alfred State's 28 rebounds and four offensive rebounds were both season-low efforts by Hamilton opponents.

The Continentals wrested control of a back-and-forth game with a dominating run to close out the first half. After the teams traded leads nine times in the opening 12 minutes, Hamilton erased the Pioneers' last lead on a three-pointer by Jack Donnelly '16; the Continentals, who went up 22-20 on the play, didn't allow another basket the rest of the period, outscoring Alfred State 29-2.

The Pioneers' futility from the floor lasted until the 17:47 mark of the second half, giving them just four free throws over a span of 10:36.

Tommy Hutson scored a game-high 19 points for Alfred State, including 11 from the free-throw line. His seven rebounds and two assists also led the Pioneers. Tavon Moore added 11 points, six rebounds and three steals.

The Continentals host SUNY New Paltz Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House, marking their first home game in 25 days. Alfred State retuns to action Monday with a home contest against SUNY Canton.