Box Score PITTSFORD, NY – Host St. John Fisher used hot second-half shooting to break open a close contest and defeat the Alfred University women's basketball team, 88-65, Saturday afternoon in Empire 8 Conference action.

Alfred (5-11, 0-6 E8) trailed by just four points at the halftime break (39-35), as the Saxons connected on 44 percent of their shots from the floor (4-of-6 on three pointers) while making nine of 10 from the foul line. But in the second half, Fisher (11-6, 4-3 E8) made 62 percent of its shots to 37 for AU as the hosts outscored Alfred, 49-30, after intermission.

For the game, Alfred shot 37 percent from the floor, connecting on six three-point shots, and made 17 of 21 foul shots. Junior guard Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Mercy) led the Saxons with 25 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Also for AU, senior guard Rachael Stedman (Hamburg, NY/Springville Griffith) had 15 points, four rebounds and three steals; sophomore forward Hailey Sick (Dansville, NY/Dansville) (eight points) and senior forward Sarah Federico (Buffalo, NY/Holy Angels) each pulled down six rebounds.

Alfred is in action next on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. at home against Houghton.