DAYTONA, FL – The Alfred University women's basketball team wrapped up the Daytona Beach Shootout with a 94-57 loss to No. 10 nationally-ranked Simpson College on Monday afternoon from the Ocean Center.

The Saxons (5-3) won the rebound battle by a 49-40 margin, while the defense held the Elephants (8-1) to 6-of-25 (24 percent) from three-point range.

Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell) scored a team-high 12 points along with six rebounds and two assists. Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) finished with nine points and four boards. Samantha Fischer (Wappingers Falls, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) totaled a season-high nine points.  

"Today was another great challenge for us against a very well coached Simpson squad," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "I thought we broke the press a lot better and got some great, aggressive looks out of our break, specifically on throw-ahead threes. We definitely need to work on reading advantage situations both in the full court in transition and half court on our drives. At times, we executed really well; other times, we didn't hit the open player and gave away some great opportunities, leading to some not great shots. To be able to play two Top-10 teams in the nation was a cool experience for us and really exposed some things we as coaches can work to get better at."

The Elephants set the pace with an opening 8-0 run, which was ended by a jump shot from Ana Ion (Bucharest, Romania/Episcopal School of Jacksonville). Both teams traded successful shots with Harkenrider scoring a team-high four points in first quarter, as the Saxons trailed 26-11. Alfred found opportunities from deep in the second quarter, as 12 of their 17 points came from three-point range. At halftime, Simpson led by a 54-28 score.

The Saxons relied on their three-point success to begin the second half, as Fischer, Harkenrider, and Rittenhouse landed shots early. Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) and Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) each converted from the free throw line, but Simpson extended their lead, 77-47. Anne Spilla (Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity) scored Alfred's opening five points in the fourth quarter, but time ran out on a potential comeback.

"Overall, to be able to travel to Florida as a group, a trip we've been planning since I got here, has been awesome," Moskowitz said. "It's nice to be able to get away and spend time together after a tough two years dealing with COVID. We are very appreciative for our administration supporting us and allowing us to finally get down here to play in this tournament!"

The Saxons will next travel to play Westminster College on December 31 with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 PM.