HOUGHTON, NY- Depth became a factor as the Alfred University men's basketball team secured an 85-72 victory over Houghton College on Thursday night from the Nielsen Center. The Saxons improve to a 5-2 (5-2 Empire 8) overall record, while the Highlanders drop to 1-6 (1-6 Empire 8). 
 
Alfred edged out Houghton in rebounding by a 34-30 margin. The team was efficient at the charity stripe, shooting 93.8 percent (15-of-16). The Saxons forced 18 turnovers while only surrendering eight to Houghton. Alfred relied on 40 bench points in their win. 
 
Sophomore guard Mike Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) totaled a career-high 24 points to go with seven assists. Junior guard Anthony Ruffino (North Tonawanda, NY/Niagara Wheatfield) finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Junior forward Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) added a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double performance as the Saxons shot 47.8 percent (32-of-67) from the field.
 
The Highlanders were led by senior guard Jordan Holmes, who was responsible for 26 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Sophomore guard Reece Gustafson totaled 12 points, as Houghton shot 50 percent (29-of-58) from the field. 
 
"It was a great team win tonight," Head Coach Russell Phillips said. "We got big contributions off the bench. Anthony Ruffino and Devin Agosto continue to put in the work and it is showing up on game days." 
 
Schmidt scored eight of Alfred's first 11 points to open the game. Sophomore forward Darren Miller (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse) totaled seven first half points, as the Saxons were leading 43-40 going into the half.  
 
An 11-0 run by Alfred in the early minutes of the second half allowed five different players to score. Six second half points from Marshall expanded the Saxons the lead. Late free throws for Alfred closed out the game. 
 
"We are working towards putting a full 40 minutes together," Phillips said. "We need to continue to improve each day in practice and control what we can heading into next week."
 
The Saxons next visit Nazareth College on Monday with tip-off scheduled for 7pm.