ALFRED, N.Y. – Four players scored in double figures as the Ithaca College men's basketball team was unable to hold on to late lead falling to Alfred University, 84-81, on Saturday in Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.  The loss moves Ithaca to 8-4 overall and evens its conference record at 2-2 while the Saxons improved to 2-1 in the Empire 8 standings and 6-6 overall.

Leading by four at halftime, 43-39, the Bombers continued to assert themselves on the offensive end of the court throughout much of the second half.  Ithaca would build its largest lead of the contest, 54-46, after scoring five unanswered points capped by a 3-pointer from Sam Bevan at 15:56.

As the half ticked away, the Saxons would stick around, eventually using a 15-6 run that lasted over four minutes to take a 61-60 lead with 11:21 left to play.

Ithaca would counter, however, draining three 3-pointers over the next several minutes to push its advantage back to five points, but the momentum swung back in the Saxons' favor over the final five minutes as the home team strung together a 10-0 run including six free throws to escape with the 84-81 triumph.

Carroll Rich led Ithaca with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting while also contributing a career-high eight assists.  Freshman Peter Ezema continued his strong play inside, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the year.  Bevan added 17 points of his own after connecting on five from downtown while Carlin Champion had 11 points and grabbed five boards.

The Bombers will return home for their next bout, a conference matchup at 6 p.m. on Tuesday against Elmira College in Ben Light Gymnasium.