DALLAS, Pa. - SUNY Geneseo junior guard John Decker scored a game-high 34 points, including 19 in the second half, as the Knights recovered from a 13-point first-half deficit to earn a 81-78 victory over Alfred on the first day of the Laurel Line Tournament, hosted by Misericordia (Pa.).

"After a slow start in the first half, we did a much better job against their top-two players who really hurt us in the first half," said head coach Steve Minton. "While we still need to find a way to minimize our turnovers and rebound with a little more consistency, I thought it was another good win and great game offensively, especially by Decker."

Falling behind, 39-31, after the first 20 minutes of play, Decker totaled 19 points, including 10-of-10 free throws to finish 14-of-14 on the night, to bring Geneseo back in the second half. A Decker triple started a 12-4 Knights' run that tied the game, 43-43, with 14:36 on the clock. The Saxons responded with seven-consecutive points over the next 1:33 on their way to a 53-46 edge with 11:33 remaining in the half.

A lay-up by first year forward Jack Manke tied the game, 57-57, at 8:12 to setup a back-and-forth stretch that included seven lead changes and four ties over the next four minutes. A pair of free-throws by junior guard Justin Ringen, who finished the game with 21 points, gave the Knights a 66-65 lead at 4:06 that they would not relinquish. 

A Decker strike from long range at 3:26 was Geneseo's final field goal of the game, but the Knights converted 12-of-12 free throws down the stretch to put the game away. Geneseo connected on 30-of-33 trips to the charity stripe for the game, including a flawless 23-of-23 in the second half.

Sophomore guard Kevin Crockett added 10 points while sophomore guard Charlie Zaepfel was credited with eight points, nine rebounds and six assists in the win. 

Geneseo (2-0) awaits either host Misericordia or Summitt Pennsylvania in Saturday's tournament championship game at 4:00 p.m.