ALFRED, N.Y. -- Penn College's halftime lead slipped away in a 74-62 defeat at Alfred University in a nonconference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats fell to 1-9 overall, while the Saxons improved to 3-6.

How it happened: Jay Henry scored seven of the Wildcats first 12 points while Peyton Murphy dropped a three and Octavio Alexander laid in a fast break layup to get out to a 12-6 lead in the first four minutes. Later, Jenssyn Shuey regained the lead for the 'Cats with a triple and Landon Reeder had a pair of buckets to give the Wildcats a seven-point cushion, 28-21, with four minutes left in the opening half, and a Nazier Sanders three in the final minute of the frame gave the Wildcats a 31-27 lead at the half. 

Murphy's steal and fastbreak bucket handed the Wildcats another 10-point lead, 37-27, early in the second half before the momentum swung to the Saxons who went on a 32-12 run across 12 minutes of play before Reeder's three stalled the run. Alfred stretched its lead to as much as 17 with one minute to play.

Inside the box: Landon Reeder scored a team-high 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Murphy and Henry pitched in with 12 points each while Ethan Roman finished with five points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Penn College was limited to 39% shooting (23-59) while the Saxons hits 46% (26-57) and 11 threes.

Up next: Penn College heads to East Connecticut State to play the Warriors on Monday, Dec. 29, in the second game of the Eastern Holiday Invitational at 7 p.m., Nichols College and Wesleyan square off first at 5 p.m. The consolation and championship games are set for Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 12 and 2 p.m., respectively.