Alfred, NY (March 5, 2023) - Top-seeded Alvernia University (21-9) fell to #2 Alfred University (22-7), 65-63, in the ECAC Men's Basketball Championship game on Sunday afternoon at Alfred.

The game was tied at the half and played evenly throughout, with neither team ever leading by more than six points.

Alvernia trailed 4-0 early before a 3-pointer by Jakob Kelly got the Golden Wolves on the board and within one. Alvernia took the lead with 16:12 to play on a Kelly jumper and and-one free throw, but the Saxons tied it up at 8-8 on their next possession.

The back and forth continued for much of the half. Alvernia twice got a five point edge on two different made 3-pointers from Robert Mullan, and another jumper and made free throw by Kelly gave Alvernia a six point lead, 26-20, with 6:02 to play in the half. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the half as the game went into the second frame tied at 31-31.

Nigel Cooke opened up the second half scoring with a 3-pointer to give Alvernia the three point edge, 34-31, but the Saxons came right back and took the lead a minute later. The two teams continued to trade the lead for much of the half.

Alvernia again had a six point advantage, 51-45, following a three point play by Malik Green with 10:50, but Alvernia again saw the lead fade away as the Saxons retook the lead just over a minute later.

As the game entered the final two minutes of action, the Saxons held a 63-59 lead. Alvernia got within two, 63-61, on a pair made free throws by Kelly, but the Golden Wolves were unable to get any closer as the Saxons took the ECAC Championship with the 65-63 win.

Kelly led Alvernia with 22 points and four rebounds. He was also named to the ECAC All-Tournament Team. Mullan finished with 15 points, and Keba Mitchell finished with 10 rebounds.

The loss marks the end of Alvernia's 2022-23 season. The Golden Wolves won the regular season MAC Commonwealth title with a 12-4 conference record, and finished 21-9 overall.