Utica hands AU men’s basketball team loss in season finale
2/21/09

ALFRED, NY -- Visiting Utica College handed the Alfred University men’s basketball team a 70-62 defeat Saturday afternoon in the Saxons’ 2008-09 season finale.

The loss spoiled a solid performance for AU senior forward Carl Embury (Perry, NY/Perry), who netted 18 points in the final game of his collegiate career. AU finishes the season at 8-17 (3-13 Empire 8).

Utica (17-8, 11-5 Empire 8) used its height advantage to outrebound AU, 38-25, and shot 46 percent from the floor to counter 11 made three-point buckets by Alfred. Utica also enjoyed an advantage from the free throw line, canning 17 of 20 foul shots (85 percent), while AU made five of its eight attempts.

The teams were deadlocked at the half, 32-32, and stayed close after intermission. The score was knotted at 51-51 with 5:05 remaining before Utica went on a 15-8 run to take a 66-59 lead with 46 seconds left. The visitors made four of four free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

In addition to Embury, three other Saxons scored in double figures. Junior forward Jared Patt (Nelson, PA/Elkland) had 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists; junior guard Bobby Barry (Duanesburg, NY/Duanesburg) had 12 points to go with a team-high eight boards, four assists and five steals; and sophomore guard Mike Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) had 12 points and three assists.

Patrick Goodman scored a game-high 25 points and pulled down seven rebounds to pace Utica. James Patterson and Doug Herring (game-high nine rebounds) each had 13 points.