TROY, NY - The Alfred University men's basketball team clinched a berth in the Empire 8 Tournament following a 67-58 win over Russell Sage College on Saturday from the Kahl Gymnasium.

The Saxons (15-8, 8-6 Empire 8) won the rebound battle by a 40-38 margin, while the Gators (11-11, 5-8 Empire 8) were limited to 25 percent from three-point range.

Mike Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) led Alfred University with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. Cole Eells (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) finished with 14 points and five boards. Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) had his fifth consecutive game with a double-double, as he totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"I couldn't be happier for our guys," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "They earned all of this."
 
Alfred relied on Marshall early in the opening half, as he scored the team's first four points. Eells hit back-to-back three-point shots to extend AU's lead to nine points at the 14:01 mark of the first half. A layup from Darren Miller (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse) sparked a 12-3 run, as the Saxons led by as many as 13 points. Schmidt scored the final eight points for Alfred University, as they led 38-25 at halftime.

Russell Sage put together a 13-2 run in the second half to cut their deficit to five points. The Gators continued to hit their shots, as they trailed by one point with 10:48 remaining in the game. A successful layup from Eells was followed by a jump shot from Elliot Bowen (Salamanca, NY/Ellicotville), as the Saxons extended their lead back to five points. Each team traded shots throughout the half, but a layup from Marshall was followed by two successful free throws from Schmidt in the final minute of action to secure the victory.

"Right now we desperately need some rest," Kaempffe said. "Our guys have worked so hard recently. We'll get back to work for a great opponent in Nazareth on Friday."

Alfred University will next host Nazareth College on Friday with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM.