HAMBURG, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team's three-game win streak was broken Saturday afternoon as they fell 85-82 against host Hilbert College.
 
The Saxons (3-1, 0-0 Empire 8) were led offensively by senior guard Nick Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) as he finished with 16 points, including a perfect five-for-five from the free throw line. Schmidt also had four assists in the contest. Junior forward Dom LeMorta (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) and senior forward Dalton Cousin (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) were tied for second leading scorers with 14 apiece.
 
Alfred found themselves with an early lead in the first half, with Schmidt knocking down the early three pointer with 17:55 to go in the game half to give them a 6-4 lead. Hilbert then went on a 7-0 run to give them the 13-6 advantage with five minutes gone by.
 
With the Saxons down five with 5:09 to go in the half, Cousin knocked down the jumper in the paint to shave they Hawk lead to three, 35-32. Then Hilbert closed out the half, going on a 12-2 run.
 
In the second half, the Saxons tried to keep pace with the Hawks, as they were to cut their lead down to seven as LeMorta knocked down a three-pointer off the feed from Schmidt., making it 49-42 with 17:56 to go in regulation. Hilbert extended their lead to 12 as Masia Phillips hit the jumper, making it 61-49 with 13:40 to go. To Saxons then found some momentum, as Sophomore Sam Dagon (Hornell, NY/Hornell) scored five of the teams next seven points, including and and-one opportunity that was converted with 12:22 remaining.
 
Alfred found luck down the stretch at the free throw line, as Schmidt hit his three attempts after Antonio Alverez fouled him beyond the arc to cut the lead to four, 76-72. With 4:18 to go, Schmidt found his brother, Derek Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean), for the three pointer to cut the Hawk lead to one, 80-79.
 
The Saxons tied the Hawks after a converted free throw attempt from junior forward Sage Brown (Cortland, NY/Cortland) making it 80 apiece with 3:46 to go in regulation. Hilbert recaptured the lead as Hunter Martineau hit both of his free throws to give them the lead for good. Cousin would put the team in reach, as he made his layup to make the score 84-82 with 1:59 to go. Phillips made it a three-point game, making his free throw attempt with four seconds remaining
 
The Hawks were led offensively by Phillips as he had 18 points with David Arlaud having 17 points. Martineau led the team offensively with eight rebounds.
 
The Saxons return home on November 28 for their game against the SUNY Geneseo Knights at 7 PM.