ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team wrapped up their weekend with a 70-67 loss to Utica University on Saturday from the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.
 
The Saxons (7-10, 4-4 Empire 8) held the Pioneers (13-2, 6-0 Empire 8) to just one successful three-point shot as part of their efforts.
 
Adam Enders (Belfast, NY/Belfast) scored a team-high 17 points to go with a steal and block on the defensive end. Franlys Valenzuela (Santiago de los Cabelleros, Dominican Republic/San Ysidro) put together a double-double performance that consisted of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Oscar Wolter (Munich, Germany/Lycee Jean Renoir) added 12 points and 8 boards for AU.

"A lot of credit to Coach Coffey and Utica," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "They did a nice job. We didn't do a good enough job. We're disappointed, but looking forward to getting back to work on Monday."
 
The Saxons faced an early deficit, as the Pioneers put together an opening 6-0 run. Moments later, Alfred University climbed back and took their first lead of the game thanks to a three-point play from Valenzuela. An 8-0 run by Utica was ended by a deep shot from Gabe Eldaye (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna). Tyler Curran (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) added four points in the first half, but AU trailed 38-32 going into the break.
 
Five combined points between Curran and Wolter in the second half gave AU a brief one-point advantage with under 15 minutes to play. Six consecutive free throws from the Saxons had the team leading by as many as five points with 12 minutes to play. The Pioneers responded with a 10-0 run, as Alfred University suddenly trailed by seven points. Late shots from Enders and Zion Baitey (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) kept the Saxons within reach, but Utica held on until the final horn.
 
Alfred University will next travel to Elmira College on Thursday at 7:30 PM.