KEUKA, NY – Junior forward Dom LeMorta (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) nets a season-high 23 points as the Alfred University men's basketball team handled Keuka College Tuesday evening, winning by the score of 72-55.
 
Sophomore guard Scotty Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) added 13 points and six assists while senior forward Tristin Hook () chipped in 10 off the bench. Junior forward Sage Brown (Cortland, NY/Cortland) manned the glass, grabbing nine rebounds (four offense, five defense).
 
The Saxons (5-1, 0-0 Empire 8) came out of the gates with an upbeat offensive tempo, scoring the game's first seven points. Senior guard Nick Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) got the scoring going, cashing in a three-point attempt off the feed from Stopera.  Senior forward Dalton Cousin (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) ensued with a layup followed by Brown's made layup attempt. The Wolves scored the two layups of their own, closing the gap to three points before Brown knocked down a three-point shot with 13:30 remaining in the first half.
 
Alfred went on an 8-0 run with just over 10 minutes to go in the half, fueled by Stopera and LeMorta as they each cashed in the three ball, giving them the 20-6 advantage with 6:54 to go in the half. Keuka was able to cut into the lead as Matt Estes cashed in his jump shot while Dylan Doupe converted both of his free throw opportunities.
 
"Our defense set the tone tonight," said Head Coach Russ Phillips. "Our energy and attention to detail was where it needed to be and I was really pleased with our focus. Multiple guys hit big shots to answer when Keuka made a run and it was good to get the win on the road."
 
The Saxons biggest lead of the first half was 17 as Schmidt converted on a fast break three point shot and LeMorta cashing in on one of his five made three-point attempts.
 
Keuka did manage to cut the deficit to seven with 7:19 remaining in regulation in the second half with a layup by Ryder Mansfield, making the score 52-45. The Saxons closed out the game on a 20-10 run.
 
Keuka was lead offensively by Tyler Greg, as he had 11 points with Mansfield having nine. Trevor Powell led the team in rebound with nine, respectively.
 
The Saxons held the advantage in points off turnover with 25 while Keuka had 13. Alfred also had the slight edge in second chance points, 10-7. Keuka found success in the paint, outscoring Alfred 30-18.
 
The Saxons head north this Saturday, December 9, as they take on host SUNY Canton at 2 PM.