HOUGHTON, NY - The Alfred University women's basketball team returned to Empire 8 action in a 65-54 loss to Houghton University on Tuesday evening from the Nielsen Center. 

The Saxons (6-4, 1-3 Empire 8) scored 32 of their points in the paint, while the defense forced the Highlanders (9-1, 2-1 Empire 8) to 23 turnovers.

Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) led Alfred University with a team-high 12 points to go with four rebounds. Karly Welty (Portville, NY/Portville Central) finished the game with 10 points, five rebounds and a career-high five steals. Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) contributed with nine points, four boards and three steals for AU. 

"We played hard tonight, but Houghton was the better team over 40 minutes," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We had opportunities in a fast-paced up and down game to convert and make our run, but they ultimately made more winning plays through the chaos. Credit to Houghton though, they are a well-coached team that played really well tonight."

Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell) opened scoring for the Saxons early in the first quarter. A layup from Stewart sparked an 8-0 run for AU, as they led by as many as five points. The Highlanders equalized the score with under four minutes to go in the quarter, but a three-point shot from Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) gave the Saxons the lead once again. O'Toole scored once more before Alfred University entered the second quarter with a 19-17 lead. Consecutive shots from beyond the arc from Houghton in the second quarter tied the game. Flint and Stewart combined for eight points in the second quarter, but Alfred University trailed 31-28 going into the break. 

Stewart led the efforts for AU in the early stages of the second half, scoring the team's first four points. O'Toole found an open shot from three-point range to cut the deficit to just two points. Rebecca Jewett (Nyack, NY/Nyack) then equalized the score with a layup with under three minutes to go in the quarter. The Highlanders ended the third quarter on a 7-0 run to lead 44-37. A three-point shot from Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) had AU trailing by four points in the fourth quarter. Moments later, four quick points from Flint were followed by a layup from Stewart, as the Saxons turned the contest into a one possession game. Alfred University continued to find open shots, but late free throws from the Highlanders were enough to seal the game.

"We will find a way to get better top to bottom the next two days as we prepare for some quality competition at home this weekend," Moskowitz said.

Alfred University will next return home to host Hartwick College on Friday with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM.