Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Sat., Jan. 7, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men's basketball

Alassari, Donahue pace Devils over Thiel

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Junior guard Taha Alassari (Brooklyn/Sweet Home) had 30 points and senior guard Chris Donahue (Olean/Olean) added 21 as Fredonia State defeated Thiel, 81-73, in overtime.

Alassari was 8 of 18 from the field and 14 of 20 from the foul line to lead the Blue Devils (5-6) to the non-conference win. Meanwhile, Donahue was 5 of 11 from the field -- all from beyond the three-point arc. He also grabbed seven rebounds.

Junior forward Kevin Reichlmayr (Rochester/Aquinas Institute) grabbed nine rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket in overtime, while senior guard Tim Anderson had a team-high six assists, plus five steals. Alassari led the Blue Devils with six steals.

The Tomcats (2-11) had four players score in double figures, led by Brad Bowman (Youngstown, Ohio) with 18. In addition, Joe Hermann (Linesville, Pa.) had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Leading 41-30 at halftime, Fredonia State went up by 15 points early in the second half. A scoring drought of over eight minutes enabled Thiel to climb back into the game and take a 56-55 lead on two free throws by James Beedle (McDonald, Ohio) with 5:31 left.

Down by four with 1:58 left, the Tomcats battled back once again to tie the game, 66-66, on a jumper by Tony White (Williamsport, Pa.) with :08 left. Fredonia State's last shot failed and the game went into overtime.

Thiel led briefly early in the extra session before Alassari went on a tear. He hit a jumper to tie the game at 68-68, his first of 11 points in the overtime. Reichlmayr's basket with 2:42 remaining put Fredonia State up 70-68, and they led the rest of the way.

Fredonia State returns to action Tuesday vs. Oswego in an 8 p.m. SUNYAC home game.

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