Score: Alfred University 104, Elmira College 77
Records: Alfred (14-4, 7-2 E8), Elmira (3-15, 1-8 E8)
Location: Galanis Family Arena – Alfred, N.Y.
 
ALFRED, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's basketball team succumbed to a fantastic shooting performance by Alfred University, as the Soaring Eagles suffered a 104-77 defeat at the hands of the Saxons in Empire 8 Conference action at the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena on Saturday afternoon.

It was a relatively close first half, as the Soaring Eagles kept the game within 10 points for more than 14 minutes. EC was even down just one point, 33-32, after an Alex Ischiropoulos '20 3-pointer capped off an 8-0 run for the Purple and Gold at the 8:23 mark of the first half. Jeremy Every '20 accounted for the other five points of the run with a three-point play and a jumper. Henry Cuffee '19 was another critical component of keeping the contest close, as he scored 17 of his team-high 23 points in the opening 20 minutes.

The Saxons got their first double-digit advantage, 44-34, with 4:51 left in the first stanza, which came in the middle of an Alfred 15-1 run that gave the home team a 53-35 advantage. The Saxons would maintain this lead for the rest of the contest, as the Soaring Eagles would not come within 17 points for the remainder of the bout.

Elmira was led by Cuffee, who came one rebound shy of a double-double with 23 points and nine boards. Both Every and Ischiropoulos also turned in solid performances, as they finished the afternoon with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Justin Porrett '19 posted another one of the all-around performances that he is becoming known for, as he tallied seven points, eight rebounds and a team-high eight assists. Freshman guard Isiah Charles '21 rounded out the Purple and Gold's double-digit scorers with a season-high 10 points on the afternoon.

The main difference in today's game came down to both teams' shooting, as the Saxons went an impressive 39-for-64 (60.9 percent) from the floor, compared to EC's 27-for-67 (43.5 percent) shooting. Other than that, Alfred held slim leads in in rebounds (34-to-33), assists (22-to-13) and turnovers (13-to-9).
 
News and Notes

• Elmira falls to 3-15 overall and to 1-8 in the E8 with today's result, while Alfred improves to 14-4 overall and to 7-2 in conference.
• Alfred's 60.9 field-goal percentage is the second highest by an EC foe this season.
• The Soaring Eagles have tallied at least five steals in three-straight games.
• Cuffee fell just one rebound shy of recording his 10th double-double of the season with 23 points and nine rebounds.
• Porrett has produced at least six assists in seven consecutive contests.
• Charles' 10 points today are a season-high for the rookie.
• Every's 14 points marks his ninth game with at least 10 points.
• Ischiropoulos has tallied at least 12 points in two-straight bouts.

 
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to action on Saturday, January 3, when EC battles The Sage Colleges in E8 action at the Murray Athletic Center as part of the 36th Annual Elmira College Athletics Alumni Weekend. The league tilt is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.