Utica, NY - A strong second half by Utica College led to the Alfred University men's basketball team dropping their first game of the spring season by a 89-57 score on Sunday at the Clark Center Athletic Gymnasium.
 
Alfred fell to a 2-1, 2-1 E8 overall record. Utica improved to 3-0, 2-0 E8 on the campaign.
 
The Saxons were led by first-year forward Casey Curran (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone), as he finished with a team-high 17 points. Sophomore guard Mike Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) totaled 13 points to go with three assists and three steals. Sophomore forward Sam Erickson (Franklinville, NY/Ten Broeck Academy) added nine points in 12 minutes off the bench, as Alfred shot 41.8 percent (23-of-55) from the field.
 
Five players ended with doubt-digit point totals for the Pioneers, as sophomore forward Thomas Morreale scored a team-high 15 points. First-year guard Damien Call ended with nine points and 12 rebounds, as Utica finished 53.2 percent (33-of-62) from the field.

"Casey came out of the gate ready to play," said Head Coach Russell Phillips. "He puts in a lot of work outside of practice and it is translating to confidence on the court."
 
Utica jumped out to an early 15-7 lead to open the game, as the Saxons relied on Curran to score their first five points. Eight points in the first half from sophomore forward Darren Miller (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse) left Alfred trailing 44-29 at the break.
 
The Saxons relied on Schmidt early on in the second half, scoring seven points in the first five minutes of action. A three-point shot by Curran at the 11:46 mark cut the deficit down to nine points. Utica retaliated with consistent offense, ending the game on a 29-7 run.

"Utica is a talented team," Phillips said. "It will be good to study the film and see what we need to improve on. We have a quick turnaround, so we will need to learn and move on." 
 
The Saxons continue their four-game road trip on Wednesday at Keuka College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.