After 16 Empire 8 Conference games, the men’s basketball team gathered at center court in Binder Gymnasium to receive a plaque none of them had ever garnered before — one that read “Empire 8 Champions.”

Not one, not two, but more than three Bombers often handle the ball on offense this season, setting up the men’s basketball team for easy swishes through the net.

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…

One has consistently logged a few key minutes in almost every game. The other hit four three-point shots in a game against Alfred University on Jan. 21. Both are compensating for an injured player on the men’s basketball team.