KEUKA PARK, NY – The Alfred University men's basketball team came up short in their regular season finale, as Keuka College won 44-41 on Saturday from the JMW Athletics and Recreation Center.

The Saxons finished the regular season with an 11-14 overall record, including an 8-8 record in conference play. Alfred University now sits as the No. 5 seed entering the Empire 8 Championship Tournament and will travel to play Keuka College on Tuesday.

Tyler Hind (Randolph, NY/Randolph) led Alfred University with 18 points and four rebounds. Adam Enders (Belfast, NY/Belfast) finished the game with 13 points and five boards. Franlys Valenzuela (Santiago de los Cabelleros, Dominican Republic/San Ysidro) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for AU.

"I'm proud of the fight we showed tonight," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "We couldn't get much of anything going and these guys never quit. We'll get back to work and try to make a few more plays on Tuesday."

Keuka opened the game on a 17-3 run, forcing Alfred University to play from behind. Hind and Zion Baitey (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) combined for 10 straight points for the Saxons to cut the deficit. The defense held the Wolves to just three points across the final two minutes of the first half, but AU was still behind 24-14 at halftime.

A three-point shot from Enders to begin the second half sparked Alfred University's offense. Hind scored seven consecutive points for the Saxons, as they trailed by only three points with just over 11 minutes remaining. The Wolves responded with a 7-1 run to extend their lead. Enders and Hind combined for 10 straight points for AU, as the Saxons trailed by two points with less than a minute left in regulation. Alfred University drove down the court in the final seconds, but a late turnover allowed Keuka to come away with the win.

Alfred University will next compete in the first round of the Empire 8 postseason on the road against No. 4 Keuka College on Tuesday evening at 7PM.