HOUGHTON, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team resumed Empire 8 competition with a 64-42 loss to Houghton University on Saturday from the Nielsen Center.
The Saxons (3-5, 0-2 Empire 8) relied on points from seven different players in their efforts against the Highlanders (11-0, 3-0 Empire 8).
Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) scored a team-high 12 points off the bench for Alfred University.
Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) recorded 11 points and six rebounds.
Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) added six points and 10 boards for AU.
"We competed really well throughout against a very talented Houghton team," Head Coach
Mike Moskowitz said. "We executed the defensive game plan well until we got some mental fatigue and gave up some timely buckets and second chance points. Offensively, we're still trying to figure out exactly who we are and how we want to play. We're also looking at our rotations to see who's meshing well and giving us consistently solid minutes. The coaching staff will continue to watch film and evaluate everything to help us continue to get better and try to be the best us that we can be with every passing day."
The Saxons relied on early baskets from Collins among others to lead by as many as four points in the first quarter. Each team traded late shots before the Saxons went into the second quarter trailing 14-13. The Highlanders began the second quarter on a 10-0 run to extend their lead over AU. The second quarter was highlighted by three points and four rebounds from Chest before the Saxons went into halftime behind 24-20.
Houghton continued to find offensive rhythm in the second half, starting the third quarter with a 7-0 run. Four different Saxons scored in the quarter, but the team was still behind 37-29 with one quarter to play. Alfred University managed to find open shots in the final quarter, but Houghton put up 27 points of their own to close out the game and secure the win.
Alfred University will next travel to Danbury, CT to take on Western Connecticut State on Thursday, December 28 at 5:00 PM.
