ALFRED, NY – A layup from
Tyler Hind (Randolph, NY/Randolph) in the closing seconds resulted in a competitive 58-56 win for the Alfred University men's basketball team over Houghton University on Tuesday from the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.
The Saxons (9-12, 6-6 Empire 8) have now won nine of the final 10 meetings against the Highlanders (6-15, 4-8 Empire 8).
Adam Enders (Belfast, NY/Belfast) finished the game with 14 points to go with three steals.
Franlys Valenzuela (Santiago de los Cabelleros, Dominican Republic/San Ysidro) totaled a remarkable double-double performance that included 12 points and 20 rebounds.
Oscar Wolter (Munich, Germany/Lycee Jean Renoir) added nine points and six boards for AU.
"Certainly not the prettiest game ever, but wins are wins," Head Coach
Erich Kaempffe said. "Obviously we still have a lot to work on, but I'm proud of our resiliency and how we responded to adversity tonight."
Baskets from Enders and Wolter to begin the opening half gave the Saxons an early lead. Additional deep shots from Enders and
Amoi Charles (Elmont, NY/H. Frank Casey) extended the advantage for Alfred University. An 11-0 run by Houghton tied the game with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. The defense held the Highlanders scoreless across the final three minutes of the first half, as the Saxons took a 29-23 lead into halftime.
Valenzuela opened scoring for AU in the second half. Houghton took a brief lead before
Zion Baitey (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) equalized the game. The Highlanders held the lead for roughly 10 minutes before a key three-point shot from Baitey cut the deficit to just two points. Baitey followed up with a pair of free throws to tie the game with under a minute to play.
Houghton scored with 36 seconds left in regulation, but Hind quickly tied the game with a layup 15 seconds later. A turnover from the Highlanders gave the Saxons the opportunity to make their way up the court, as Hind hit a successful layup with just over one second to play. Houghton was unable to land a miracle shot, as Alfred University held on for the win.
Alfred University will next host Russell Sage College on Friday at 7:30 PM.
