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ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team defeated visiting Hartwick College Friday evening, 96-65 at the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena to remain unbeaten in conference action.
 
The Saxons (9-2, 2-0 Empire 8) were led on both ends of the floor by senior forward Dalton Cousin (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) as he finished with the double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Nick Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) led all scorers with 22 points including going six-of-eight from beyond the arc. Junior forward Sage Brown (Cortland, NY/Cortland) had an all-around great performance with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Junior guard Scotty Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glennville) led the team in assists with six.
 
Brown got the game started for Alfred with the layup off the dish from Cousin to take the early 2-0 lead. The Hawks answered by converting their own layup and then knocking down a three to give them a 5-2 lead. The Saxons then went on an 8-0 run fueled by two three pointers from Schmidt to give Alfred the 10-5 advantage with 16:05 remaining in the first half.
 
The Hawks caught fire midway through the half after Kevin Townes slammed home the dunk on the fast break to cap a 6-0 run. Alfred regain the lead as Stopera knocked down his three-point shot to give Alfred the 29-28 advantage with 5:43 to go in the half. The teams went into the half tied at 38 apiece as Stopera hit his jump shot to end the half.
 
The Saxons came out of halftime running on all cylinders, going on a 15-0 run fueled by two threes from junior forward Dom LeMorta (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glennville) and a three from Schmidt. Corey Baker halted the run, hitting a three. Stopera answered with his own three to push the lead back to 15 with 15:20 to go in regulation. Alfred pushed lead to 23 at the 13:44 mark as Schmidt scored the next nine points to give the Saxons a comfortable 67-44 lead. The Saxons biggest lead came at the 3:14 mark as first-year guard Cole Eells (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) converted on a fast break layup to give Alfred a 95-58 lead.
 
The Saxons took advantage of their three-point opportunities, going 14-of-26 (53.8%) from beyond the arc. Coming into the game, the Saxons shot 42.5% from three-point land which is eight in country. The Saxons also attempt 11.3 three-point shots a game which is good for fourteenth in the country.
 
"Our defense really set the tone for us tonight," said Head Coach Russell Phillips. "We really locked in the second half and forced some tough shots. The guys did a really good job with their 1-on-1 matches.  In the second half, we started moving the ball well and were able to get a lot of high percentage looks. Nick Schmidt was outstanding and on both ends and his shooting really kick-started us. Scotty Stopera was the floor general for us and continued to create good looks for guys.  We need the same energy and effort against Stevens tomorrow."
 
The Hawks were led by Baker as he finished with 20 points. Townes and Marc du Moulin were tied for team lead in rebounds with six apiece.
 
The Saxons continued to have a strong transition offense, outscoring Hartwick 29-10. Alfred also controlled the paint, having the 38-24 advantage. The Hawks held the advantage in bench points, 24-17.
 
The Saxons wrap-up their three-game home stand as the hos Stevens Institute of Technology tomorrow, Saturday January 6, at 2 PM.