AU (6-6, 0-0 Empire 8) trailed 48-36 at the half but came back strong after intermission. The Saxons closed to within two points, at 81-79, with 2:09 remaining, but Case made eight of 12 free throw attempts over the final two minutes to seal the win.
Junior center Dillon Stein had 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead four Alfred players in double figures. Senior guard Quentin Bryant had 20 points and a pair of steals, while senior forward Ryan Hallett and senior guard Chris Lemasters scored 14 and 11 points, respectively. Lemasters also had six rebounds and a team-high five assists.
Alfred shot 33 percent from the floor while Case Western made 50 percent of its shots, including 58 percent from three-point range. Oren Carson (nine rebounds) and Richard Mullen (seven rebounds, six assists) each scored 18 points to pace the Spartans (7-2). Mason Conrad had 17 points and seven boards and Funso Lafe added 15 points.
Alfred plays next on Friday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. when the Saxons open their Empire 8 Conference schedule at Hartwick.