BRADFORD, PA—The Alfred University Saxons men's basketball team's three game win streak was snapped by the Pitt-Bradford Panthers, 82-73, closing out the 2014 slate for AU.
 
The Saxon three game win-streak was extinguished by the Panthers of Pitt-Bradford who took the lead in the first minute and never conceded their position the rest of the game.  AU, coming off a 25-day hiatus from the court (last facing Gallaudet on December 5, 2014), struggled from behind the arc only making 5-of-22 (22.7%) of their shots from deep.  Further adding to the frustration of the Saxons, five AU players took multiple fouls into half time making it difficult to increase the pressure on the surging Panthers.
 
Throughout the first half the Saxons struggled to get back into form turning the ball over nine times, shooting 11-of-32 (34.4%) from the field and only netting 3-of-17 (17.6%) 3PT shots.  The Panthers, coming off a three-game stint since December 5^th, shot 14-of-29 (48.3%) from inside the arc while hitting only 1-of-4 three-pointers.  Most points for Pitt-Bradford came from turnovers and free-throw shots in the first half, giving them an edge, 44-33, going into the second stanza of the game.
 
However, the Saxons would readjust under first year coach Russell Phillips in the second half only taking five shots from three-point range (2-of-5, 40.0%) and moving the ball inside.  Senior forward, Dalton Walsh (Stockton, NY/Cassadega Valley), was a force to be reckoned with in the paint during the second half, making 7-of-8 (87.5%) free throws and adding five more baskets for a total of 17 points over 17 minutes.  Sophomore sharpshooter Tyler Seelman (Lorton, VA/(Hayfield Secondary) also found his stride, making 2-of-2 from 3PT range. 
 
Unfortunately for the Saxons, Pitt-Bradford also readjusted for the second period and made 5-of-10 from deep and 10-of-20 from the field, shooting 50% overall.  Additionally, Pitt-Bradford's Eric Matheson (Ridgeway, PA/Ridgeway) was a clutch player making 11-of-12 (91.7%) free throws in the last 2:42 of the tightly contested game.  Despite outscoring the Panthers 40-38 in the second half, the Saxons fell, 82-73.
 
Walsh finished the evening with 21 points while Jerry Kincel (Moosic, PA/Riverside) added 11 points and two steals.  Sophmores Tyler Seelman and Eric Adams (Lebanon, NJ/Hunterdon Central) both added ten points to the effort.
 
AU (6-2, 0-0 E8) look to rebound in the New Year Fri. January 2, 2015 when they travel to Hoboken, NJ to take on the Stevens Ducks in the Empire 8 match up opener.