Score: Alfred University 95, Elmira College 73
Records: Elmira (6-16, 4-9 E8), Alfred (18-4, 11-2 E8)
Location: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena -- Alfred, N.Y.

ALFRED, N.Y. -- Elmira College men's basketball traveled to Alfred University on Wednesday night and came up short against the Saxons, as the Soaring Eagles were defeated 95-73 inside the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena in Alfred, New York.

The Saxons managed to break EC's relentless full-court press and shot 50.8 percent (32-of-63) from the field, better than the 38.5 field-goal percentage (25-of-65) recorded by the Soaring Eagles. Both sides connecting for nine 3-pointers, while Elmira finished with a slight edge on the glass, 38-to-37. The biggest difference of the night, however, proved to be turnovers. The Soaring Eagles coughed the ball up 21 times, which resulted in 27 points the other way for Alfred.

Five players finished in double-digits for Elmira, led by senior guard Justin Porrett '19. The Dumont, New Jersey, native scored a team-best 17 points to go along with a game-high eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore forward Shawn Backus '21 poured in 14 points, including a 5-for-5 showing at the line, and collected six rebounds. Jeremy Every '20 and Mason Weir '21 followed with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Alfred, which is contending for a top seed in the upcoming Empire 8 Conference Tournament, never trailed. It scored the first six points of the game on consecutive 3-point shots in the first minute of action. A trey from Weir brought the Soaring Eagles within one point of the Saxon lead, 6-5, and a Porrett bucket had EC within one possession at 10-7 three-and-a-half minutes into the opening period. 

A scoring drought over the next three minutes helped Alfred pull away, as the Saxons led by 11 points until Every halted the dry spell with a 3-point shot of his own. A Porrett and-one trimmed the deficit down to five points, 18-13, but that was the closest Elmira would come to the lead for the remainder of the half. Alfred opened the second half with a 43-30 advantage and preserved the comfortable lead throughout regulation.

News and Notes

• Elmira out-rebounded its opponent in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
• Porrett reached double figures for the 10th consecutive game.
• Porrett has dished out no fewer than eight assists in the last five contests.
• Backus scored double-digit points for the 16th time in his sophomore season.
• Weir posted season highs in points (11), rebounds (8), and 3-point makes (3).
• Every shot 83.3 percent (5-of-6) and made both attempts from beyond the arc.
• Jesse Adelson '20 finished with seven points, four assists, two rebounds and one steal against the Saxons.

Up Next
Elmira will wrap up its season series with St. John Fisher College on Friday, February 15, with a 7:30 p.m. tilt against the Cardinals at the Manning and Napier Varsity Gym in Rochester, New York.