ALFRED, NY – Execution in the second half from Russell Sage College led to a 73-54 win over the Alfred University women's basketball team on Friday night from the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.

Six players recorded multiple steals for the Saxons (6-6, 1-2 Empire 8). The Gators (5-7, 1-2 Empire 8) were held to 26.3 percent from three-point range.

"We didn't love the overall quality of shots in the first half, and knew we weren't shooting it well from behind the arc," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We focused on trying to get to the foul line to help with our poor shooting, but only managed to shoot 55 percent from there. Defensively, we just weren't sharp with regards to executing at a high enough level – we allowed them to get downhill on bad closeouts, which puts pressure on our defense as they attack the paint. Sage did a nice job making us pay for that and not getting a body on them on rebound opportunities in the second half."

Gillian Flint (Caldedonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) led the Saxons with a season-high 19 points to go with six rebounds and two steals. Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) finished with nine points and six boards. Ana Ion (Bucharest, Romania/Episcopal School of Jacksonville) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

Flint set the tone early for the Saxons, recording the team's first four points. A 7-0 run by the Gators was snapped by a layup from Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell). Each team continued to trade successful shots, but Alfred University trailed 18-9 at the end of the first quarter. Flint continued to provide the Saxons with offensive support, recording 10 of the team's first 12 points to open the second quarter. A three-point shot from Rittenhouse was followed by a layup from Ion to give the Saxons a 26-25 lead with 3:44 remaining in the first half. The Gators ended the first half with a 9-2 run to lead 34-28 at the break.

Russell Sage scored five quick points to begin the second half to leave the Saxons trailing by as many as 10 points. Five Saxons scored in the third quarter, but the Gators held a 48-41 lead entering the fourth quarter. A jump shot from Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) was later followed by a layup from Harkenrider, as AU cut their deficit to 52-48 with 7:01 remaining in the game. A 13-0 run by the Gators distanced their lead and ultimately sealed the game.

"It's disappointing for sure, as we had it at a three-point game, even with all that with 6:15 to go and then allowed them to out tough us, both physically and mentally," Moskowitz said. "The good news is we have an opportunity to turn the page right away and focus on tomorrow's game against a good Hartwick team.

Alfred University will next host Hartwick College on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 PM.