MARCY, N.Y. - The Wildcats got 2017 off to an exciting start on Tuesday with a nail biting victory over Alfred State 86-85. The game was decided in the final seconds of regulation with the Wildcats and the Pioneers trading blows back and forth battling for the win.

The Wildcats would come out on top thanks to a clutch layup by Malik Johnson (Highland Falls, N.Y.) with just six seconds remaining to put the Wildcats ahead after trailing for the prior six minutes of the game. Johnson's layup was nearly ousted by a buzzer beating three-pointer by Alfred State's Tyrone Davis, but the shot rattled in and out giving the Wildcats the win.

Johnson had a fantastic game for the Wildcats. He knocked down eight of ten from the field for a total of 20 points. 17 of his 20 came when the Wildcats needed them most; in the second half. Johnson also grabbed seven boards and had four assists for the Cats'.

Quayshaun Mitchell (Harlem, N.Y.) was just shy of a double-double in the game. The senior scored 18 points, had nine rebounds, and two assists.

Rounding out the four double digit scorers for the Wildcats were Peyton Griffiths (Milford, N.Y.) with 13 points and Kevin Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) with 12. Griffiths really hit his stride shooting the three-ball in the game. The Sophomore shot 3-4 from beyond the arc and had two assists and a steal in the game. Williams had six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block to go with his 12 points.

Alfred State's Juwan Toliver had a game high 21 points. The sophomore shot 71 percent from the field and had an impressive nine rebounds from the point in 34 minutes of play.

Tyrone Davis and Justin Wallace also played well for the Pioneers. Wallace had 18 points off the bench and Davis had 14 points and five assists in the game.

As a team the Wildcats shot 33% from three-point land, which proved to be the difference maker in the game. The Wildcats also had a slight edge on the glass (41-39). The Pioneers were far superior in transition scoring 14 fast break points to the Wildcats 2, but were out passed by the Wildcats 17-9 in the assist category.

The Wildcats improve to 6-4 on the year with the win and the Pioneers fall to 4-8. The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday when they will travel to Keuka Park to take on the Keuka College Wolves in a North Eastern Athletic Conference game. The game is set for a 3:00 PM tip.