The men’s basketball team had an up and down weekend, falling to a previously winless team Friday, then qualifying for the Empire 8 Conference Tournament on Saturday.

The Elmira College Soaring Eagles (1—23, 1—12 Empire 8) hosted the Bombers on Friday and upset them 70-62.

Sophomore forward Dan O’Brien led the way for the Soaring Eagles, netting a game-high 20 points.

The Bombers big men were a force inside, outscoring Elmira 38-14 on points inside the paint. Sophomore forward and center Frank Mitchell had 19 points for the Blue and Gold in the losing effort.

Saturday was a more constructive day for the Bombers, as they visited and defeated Alfred University (13—10, 5—8 Empire 8) 77-63.

The victory clinched the team’s ninth consecutive Empire 8 Tournament bid, the most of any team in the conference. Postseason play begins Feb. 24 at a site to be determined.

Sophomore center Tom Sweeney led the game with 19 points, while freshman guard Connor Rogers had a career-high 15 points.

Ithaca shot 48 percent from the field and held the Saxons to just 33 percent shooting.

The South Hill squad concludes the regular season Saturday at Utica College.