HOUGHTON, NY—The Alfred University women's basketball team snapped its nine-game lose streak against the Highlanders in at Houghton College on Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior guard Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) stayed hot on the weekend netting 19 points and four rebounds to pace the Saxons in their second Empire 8 win of the season. 
 
AU dominated the Highlanders in the first half to jump out to an eleven-point lead going into the half.  The Saxons were able to mount as high as a 16-point lead midway through the first, but the Houghton carried some momentum into the half.  Alfred University shot 38.9% from the field in the first stanza while holding the Highlanders to a modest 25.8% form the field.
 
In the second half the Saxons lost their lead with 11:41 to go in the game, but quickly scratched their way back into control on an Amanda Off (Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley) layup with 9:56 to play.  With the lead in hand the Saxons would not look back until Houghton went on a 10-2 run in the final minute.  Houghton's Hannah Manwaring spearheaded the attack with two 3PT shots.  However, the Saxons would not falter and carried out a 62-61 win on the road.

Off ended the afternoon with 14 points for the Saxons while freshman guard McKaylee Croll (Perry, NY/Perry) added 13 points and three rebounds.
 
AU (5-16, E8 2-11) has a week break until they return to action at home against non-conference opponent, SUNY Canton on February 14^th in the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.