Men's Basketball | 2/4/2023 6:18:00 PM
ONEONTA, NY - The Alfred University men's basketball team picked up their third straight conference win following a 80-74 victory over Hartwick College on Saturday from the Lambros Arena. With the win this weekend, the Saxons (16-5, 11-3 Empire 8) clinched a postseason berth in the Empire 8 Tournament. The men's basketball program has made the Empire 8 Tournament in each of the last two seasons under Head Coach
Erich Kaempffe.
Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) led the efforts for Alfred University with 23 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Mike Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) totaled 21 points to go with two rebounds and two assists.
Casey Curran (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) added 10 points and six boards for AU.
"Hartwick played really well," Kaempffe said. "A ton of credit to them. We needed a good effort to win tonight and I'm proud of our guys for finding a way to win on the road."
Marshall got the Saxons off to a quick start by scoring six of the team's opening eight points. Shots from beyond the arc from
Gabe Eldaye (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) and Schmidt gave AU their first double-digit lead of the afternoon with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. The Hawks eventually tied the game in the final minutes, but Marshall and
Elliot Bowen (Salamanca, NY/Ellicotville) had Alfred University leading 38-36 going into halftime.
In the second half, Schmidt scored five points as part of a 9-0 run for the Saxons to extend the lead back to 10 points. The Hawks responded with a 9-1 run of their own to trail by one possession with five minutes remaining. Each side continued to trade successful shots, but a clutch 3-point shot from Curran gave Alfred University some breathing room in the final minutes. The Saxons leaned on the 3-point shot the rest of the way, as Marshall and Schmidt hit successful shots to seal the victory for AU.
"We know Medaille will be a great test on Tuesday," Kaempffe said. "We're all excited to prepare for them after we get some rest."
Alfred University will next travel to face Medaille University in their final road game of the regular season on Tuesday at 7:30 PM.