HOUGHTON, NY - The Alfred University men's basketball team celebrated their start to 2023 with a 61-51 win over Houghton University on Tuesday night from the Nielsen Center. 

The Saxons (8-3, 3-1 Empire 8) shot 42.9 percent from the field, while outrebounding the Highlanders (2-7, 1-2 Empire 8) by a 39-30 margin. 

Alfred University was led by Darren Miller (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse Academy), who scored 14 points to go with seven rebounds. Elliot Bowen (Salamanca, NY/Ellicotville) also finished the game with 14 points and seven boards. Adam Enders (Belfast, NY/Belfast) added 14 points for AU, with six points coming from beyond the arc. 

"We were good in both halves defensively an then we found a way to get some tough baskets in the second half," Head Coach Erich Kaempffe said. "I was proud of how we hung in there while we struggled offensively."

Bowen was the first to score for the Saxons in the opening minutes of the first half. A 7-2 run by Houghton had Alfred University trailing by five points in the first half. Successful layups from Bowen and Anthony Ruffino (Buffalo, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) cut AU's deficit to just two points. A three-point shot by Enders had the Saxons behind by one point later in the half, but the Highlanders responded with a three-point shot of their own to carry a 22-18 lead into halftime.

Houghton put together an 8-2 run early in the second half to put Alfred University behind by nine points. The Saxons continued to fight back, as Miller scored five points as part of a 14-0 run to give AU their first lead of the evening. Later in the half, a layup from Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) gave the Saxons their first double-digit advantage. Bowen, Enders and Miller each scored 10 or more points in the second half to allow Alfred University to hold on for the win.

"We need to get some rest and then get back to work for two really good opponents at home this weekend," Kaempffe said.

Alfred University will next return home to host Hartwick College on Friday evening with tip-off slated for 7:30 PM.