ALFRED, NY—The Alfred University women's basketball team dropped their season opener, 71-59, against SUNY Brockport at the Brockport Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon.
 
The Saxons were led by Amanda Off (New Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley) and Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) chalking up 20 and 19 points, respectively.  Off was 9-15 from the field (1-1 3pt) and Cleary was 7-19, making three three-pointers to spearhead the Saxons offense.
 
Going into the half, AU kept the game within reach, 35-31, by shooting very well within three-point range (39.39%).  However, struggles from the behind the arc made it possible for Brockport to take the advantage in the half.  Brockport shot 35.14% from the field in the first half, while making 5-6 (83.33%) free throws.
 
Unfortunately for the Saxons, Brockport came out in the second half and put together a very strong defensive showing, only allowing AU to go 10-37 (27.03%) from the field, and only allowing the Saxons to get to the charity stripe four times.  AU shot 3-4 (75%) from the free throw line in the second half. 


Brockport was also able to get a strong advantage at the free throw line, shooting 13-18 (72.22%) in the second half.  On the back of solid defense and capitalization of free throw chances, the Golden Eagles were able to top the Saxons 71-59.
 
McKaylee Croll (Perry, NY/Perry) and Emilea Harrison (Conesus, NY/Dansville) led the team in assists with five and four, respectively.  Off also fronted the AU defense with five steals and one block over 39 minutes.

Overall the Saxons shot 23-70 (32.9%) from the field and 8-30 (26.6%) from three compared to Brockports 23-63 (36.5%) and 7-22 (31.8%).
 
The Saxons (0-1, E8 0-0) are in action again on Sunday, Nov. 16^th to take on The Sage Colleges in Brockport, NY at noon.