ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College men's basketball team battled to the finish, but eventually dropped its win-or-go-home matchup to the Saxons from Alfred University in the regular season final on Saturday, 61-71. 

After falling behind by as many as 14 in the opening half, the Soaring Eagles would battle to close its deficit to just three points at the break, 32-29. 

Quintel Clements '22 would close his collegiate career after recording a double-double where he posted 14 points and ten rebounds. Marc Anthony Artuz '24 led Elmira in the scoring column with 16 points, while Tyler Cardello '26 posted a 12-point, six-rebound effort in the loss. 

In the loss, the Soaring Eagles have been eliminated from postseason contention and its season has come to an end

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 61, Alfred 71
LOCATION: Alfred, New York | McLane Center
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (7-18, 6-12 Empire 8), Alfred (19-6, 14-4 Empire 8)

After trailing by three at the break, Artuz would open the scoring in the second with a shot from deep to tie the game at 32-32. From there, the Saxons would regain the lead and never look back, increasing its lead to as many as 13 in the half before winning by ten. 

For the game, the Soaring Eagles were outscored 23-10 in points off turnovers after committing 16 compared to nine for the Saxons. The Purple & Gold held the advantage in second-chance points after each team grabbed 12 rebounds on the offensive end. 

Elmira, who shot just 4-of-20 from deep, were outmatched by the Saxons from beyond the arc, who made 11 shots from long-range. 

ELMIRA LEADERS (44.4%, 23-of-58 from the floor)
Quintel Clements - 14 points, 10 rebounds
Marc Anthony Artuz - 16 points, 4 rebounds
Tyler Cardello - 12 points, 6 rebounds

ALFRED LEADERS (38.3%, 23-of-60 from the floor)
Marshall Brewster - 29 points, 7 rebounds
Mike Schmidt - 14 points, 10 assists