CLEVELAND, OH – The Alfred University men's basketball team defeated Washington & Jefferson College 82-78 Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament. Junior guard Scotty Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glennville) earned All-Tournament team honors.
 
The Saxons (7-2, 0-0 Empire 8) were led offensively by senior guard Nick Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) as he finished with 20 points, including going 5-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc. Stopera added 15 points with sophomore guard Sam Dagon (Hornell, NY/Hornell) chipping in 10 points off the bench. Senior forward Dalton Cousin (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) led the team in rebounds as he hauled in eight with junior forward Dom LeMorta (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glennville) grabbing seven.
 
Alfred found themselves trailing early in the first half as they were down 4-0 before LeMorta put them on the board, converting both of his free-throw attempts with junior forward Sage Brown (Cortland, NY/Cortland) making his jump shot on the next possession to tie the game up at 4-4 with 16:38 to go in the half. Jonathan Devito broke the tie for Washington & Jefferson as he made a three-point shot to give them the lead once again. The Saxons were able to tie the game up again as Dagon made his layup to knot the game up at 8-8 with 13:42 to go in the half.
 
The Presidents were able to open the game up, going on and 11-2 run, giving them the 19-10 lead halfway through the first half. The Saxons then went on a 11-2 run of their own to tie the game at 21-21. The run was fueled by three of Schmidt's three-point shots. The Saxons gained their first lead of the game with 6:04 to go in the half as Dagon drained a three-pointer to give them the 26-24 advantage. Alfred maintained the lead to halftime, outscoring the Presidents 16-9 to give Alfred the 42-33 advantage at intermission.
 
The Saxons picked-up were they left off coming into the second half as Schmidt completed the old fashion three-point play, converting an and-one opportunity to extend their lead to 12. Alfred was able to maintain the lead for most of the second half until Washinhton & Jefferson found some offensive, going on an 8-4 run, cutting the deficit to 74-71 with 3:37 remaining in regulation.
 
With under a minute to go in the game, with the score at 78-73 in favor of Alfred, Washington & Jefferson went to intentional foul mode were Stopera was able to convert on all four of his free-throw attempts down the stretch to secure the win.
 
Alfred capitalized on Washington & Jefferson turnovers as Alfred held the advantage, 18-5. Alfred also held the slight edge in second chance points, 13-8.
 
The Saxons are next in action this Tuesday, January 2, as the open conference play as they host Houghton College at 6 PM. This will be the first of a three-game homestand for the Saxons.