ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team nearly erased a late 15-point deficit, but was unable to complete the comeback in a 77-72 loss to Empire 8 foe Hartwick in the home finale Saturday afternoon.

The Saxons fall to 10-14 overall on the season (4-9 Empire 8), while the Hawks improve to 13-11 and 5-8.
 
It was senior day at Terry S. Galanis Family arena as standout guard, Sam Dagon (Hornell, NY / Hornell) was the lone senior honored and had an impressive 20-point game to celebrate his four years as a Saxon.
 
Unfortunately for AU and Dagon, a back and forth game ended in a close 77 loss for the Saxons as they fell to 10-14 on the year and 4-9 in the conference.
 
With the game tied at 14 all with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half, Hartwick went on a 7-0 run to make it 21-14 at the 8:24 mark.
 
Consecutive three pointers from Anthony Ruffino (North Tonawanda, NY / Niagara Wheatfield) and Cole Eells (Ithaca, NY / Ithaca) helped AU climb back into the contest and at the end of the half the Saxons trailed by just three.
 
Dagon and Eells came out in the second half firing up the long ball and put Alfred ahead 41-39 at the 17:25 mark.
 
A hot shooting Hawk team quickly regained the lead and pushed it up to as many as 15 points with just over five minutes to play in regulation.
 
The Saxons again turned the tide and forced multiple turnovers to pull the game to within one with 10 seconds remaining.
 
A couple of long football passes proved to be unsuccessful for the Saxons and a missed free throw attempt put Hartwick in control at the end.
 
Dagon and Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY / Horseheads) led the charge with the aforementioned 20 points each on the afternoon. Dagon chipped in with four assists and three steals while Marshall finished nine rebounds to lead AU.
 
Alfred will wrap up its season next weekend on the road at Houghton College on Saturday afternoon at 2PM.