UTICA, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team saw their season come to a close following a 75-70 loss to #1 Utica University in the Empire 8 Tournament Semi-Finals on Friday evening from the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center.

The Saxons (17-10, 9-7 Empire 8) finished 50 percent from both the field and three-point range. The Pioneers (23-3, 15-1 Empire 8) were out-rebounded by a 36-27 margin.

Adam Enders (Belfast, NY/Belfast) led the Saxons with a career-high 23 points while shooting 9-of-12 from the field. Mike Schmidt (Olean, NY/Olean) totaled 18 points along with nine assists. Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) put together his 12th double-double performance of the season, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

"I told our team I could not be prouder of their effort," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "They fought until the end and those guys in our locker room should feel very good about the character they showed not only tonight, but all season. I want to congratulate Coach Coffey and Utica on the win. They played so well and we have all kinds of respect for how they compete."

Utica set the tone in the early moments of the opening half, beginning the game on a 9-3 run. The efforts of Enders and Darren Miller (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse) combined for an immediate 9-0 run by the Saxons, as they took a three-point lead with 12:48 remaining in the first half. An 11-0 run by the Pioneers was ended by a jump shot from Cole Eells (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca). Back-to-back three-point shots from Enders and Schmidt had the Saxons trailing by two points in the final minutes of the first half. Utica continued to find ways to score, but a layup from Schmidt with 23 seconds remaining had Alfred University trailing 37-35 at the break.

A layup from Marshall opened scoring for the Saxons in the second half. Four straight points from Elliot Bowen (Salamanca, NY/Ellicottville) had AU trailing by one possession. Enders scored five consecutive points for the Saxons to keep them within three points with 11:29 remaining. A 9-0 run by the Pioneers was snapped by a layup from Marshall with 4:58 left in the game. Five more quick points from Enders had the Saxons trailing by six points with 3:31 to play. Utica hit their free throws to close out the game, as time ran out on a potential comeback for Alfred.

"I'm honored to be part of our program," Kaempffe said. "Coach Beam and Coach Brown were unbelievable all year and are two of the best assistant coaches in the country. Cole Eells, Justin Phillips, Eddie Walser, and Jay Brueckl were unbelievable leaders and will be sorely missed. We can't wait for next year."