COBLESKILL, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team began its season on Saturday at SUNY Cobleskill where the Saxons (0-1, 0-0 Empire 8) dropped a close one to the Fighting Tigers by a score of 70-63.
 
A back and fourth first quarter ended with Cobleskill leading the Saxons 13-12.
 
Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY / Caledonia Mumford) and Jamie Wilcox (Forestville NY / Pine Valley) accounted for a good portion of the offense in the second quarter.
 
A late three pointer from the Fighting Tigers put them ahead by six points as the teams went into the half with Cobleskill leading 30-24.
 
Cobleskill pushed its lead up to 10 points to open the second half before Lyndsey McCoy (Middleburgh, NY / Middleburgh Central) nailed a three pointer to make it a seven point game.
 
A pair of layups late in the third quarter from Bri Hicks (Burlington, VT / Ithaca) helped the Saxons get within five but at the end of the period the Fighting Tigers led 45-38.
 
The Saxons stayed within six or seven points for much of the fourth quarter but could not pull much closer. 
 
A late three from Ana Ion (Bucharest, Romania / Episcopal of Jacksonville) gave AU a chance but Cobleskill went on to convert free throws in the final seconds to defeat the Saxons.
 
Flint had a huge game for the Saxons, as she lead the way with 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals, coming within two steals of a rare triple-double.
 
Wilcox ended with 13 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
 
Ion finished with 10 points while McCoy also had 10 points and grabbed six boards.
 
Alfred will travel to the Brockport Tournament next weekend for a matchup with the Golden Eagles on Friday and then will play either Medaille College or Keuka College on Saturday afternoon.