WESTFIELD, MA – The Alfred University men's basketball team kicked off the 2019-20 season on Saturday afternoon at Westfield State University. The Saxons (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) led by as many as 23 points in the second half on their way to a 74-65 victory.
 
After falling behind 4-0, AU broke off a 12-0 run to take an eight point lead just five minutes into the game.
 
A pair of 3-pointers from Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY / Horseheads) and Anthony Ruffino (North Tonawanda, NY / Niagara Wheatfield) helped AU extend that lead up to 22 points at just under the 12 minute mark of the first half.
 
By the end of the first half, Westfield State cut their deficit to 18 points as the Saxons led by a score of 42-24 at the break.
 
Alfred pushed its lead to 23 points early in the second half when Cole Eells (Ithaca, NY / Ithaca) hit the first of his two three-pointers of the game.
 
The Saxons cruised from that point and began the season victorious.
 
Marshall was the high scorer on the day with 18 points. He also added seven boards and blocked a shot. 
 
Senior guard Sam Dagon (Hornell, NY / Hornell) had a productive first half and finished with 17 points, five rebounds and two steals.
 
Elliot Bowen (Salamanca, NY / Ellicottville) had a big day inside as he finished with 13 points on 6 of 8 shooting. 
 
First-year guard Mike Schmidt (Olean, NY / Olean) reached double figures in scoring with 10 points. 
 
Eells ended his day with eight points. 
 
"There were a lot of positives to take away from today," Head Coach Russell Phillips said. "We defended well as a team and were sharp with our rotations. Westfield State is a good team and forced us into too many turnovers. We weren't very sharp closing the game out, but we will continue to build. "
 
The Saxons will co-host the Special Tee's Tipoff classic with Alfred State College next weekend and will play SUNY Cobleskill on Friday before hosting Clarkson University on Saturday.