The men’s basketball team clinched a berth in the Empire 8 Championship tournament today in the Bombers final home game of the season as they defeated Elmira College 81–52.

The Bombers got help from Hartwick College, who knocked off Stevens Institute of Technology to give the Blue and Gold a spot.

The South Hill squad held Elmira to just 10 points in the first half. The Soaring Eagles shot a mere 4-of-36 from the field and went did not drain a single three-pointer, going 0-for-14.    

In that first half, the Bombers went on a 22–0 run to take a 33-point lead.

Senior Tom Brown picked up his third double-double with a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Phil Barera picked up a game-high 15 rebounds and scored 17 points for his 11th double-double of the year.

St. John Fisher College and Nazareth College join the Bombers in the tournament. Rochester Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology are still fighting for the final spot.

The Blue and Gold wrap up regular season play at 6 p.m. Friday as they take on Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J.