Hamburg, NY- The Alfred State Men's basketball team battled hard against the Hilbert Hawks in tonight's close match-up. The Pioneers were unable to take the lead at the end, as the Hawks earned the win, 85-74.
 
Michael Miller led the way for the Pioneers with 21 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and tallying 8 assists. Darius Cunningham Jr tacked on 13 points, Ty Gustafson adding 10 of his own.
 
Hilbert found the net first, notching 7 points before Dylan Perry started it up for the Pios with a jumper. With five minutes left in the 1^st half, ASC down 13 points, Ben Sneddon made a jumper in the paint followed by a Gustafson layup. Cunningham would then knock down both of his free throws after getting fouled on a rebound, as the Pios gained on the Hawks, 36-27. After a few more buckets, the Pioneers only trailed by five points, going into halftime, 44-39.
 
ASC starts off strong in the 2^nd half, with a three by Cunningham followed by a Miller layup, tying the game 44-44. For the next six minutes, the Pios and Hawks competed hard with back-and-forth buckets being made. With four minutes left in the game, the Pioneers went on an eight-point rally, started by two free throws by Miller. Gustafson notched another layup which was quickly followed by a Braedyn Chambry layup. Miller would then add a jumper in the paint, putting the score at 78-72 with two minutes left in the game. The Hawks prevailed as they took home the win, 85-74.
 
The Pioneers will be back on their home court this weekend against Pitt-Greensburg, tip-off set for 1 pm.