ALTOONA, PA – Consistent efforts on both ends from the Alfred University women's basketball team led to a 68-59 win over Penn State Altoona on Saturday.
Jessica Beehler (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) led Alfred University with 16 points and nine rebounds. Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) totaled 16 points, four rebounds, a block and a steal. Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) added 16 points, six boards, four assists, two blocks and two steals for AU.
"This was a tough day on paper - on the road, against a very good team, coming off finals week, with the winter break in mind," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "This was a great win for us. I thought we played hard the whole game and really locked it in during the second half to build a great lead. We executed both ends the best we have in a few weeks, which was great to see. Shoutout to Jess for helping expand the lead in the third quarter and Bri, Alyssa and Felicia for making a positive impact while on the floor."
The Saxons trailed in the early stages of the opening quarter, but a three-point shot by Alyssa DiMillo (Syracuse, NY/Liverpool) gave Alfred University their first lead of the afternoon. AU relied on nine points from beyond the arc as part of a 13-3 run to end the first quarter, as they led 21-15 going into the second quarter. Shots from Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) and Rittenhouse extended the advantage to double-digit figures for Alfred University in the second quarter. The defense held Altoona without a point across the first three minutes of the quarter. Altoona managed to cut their deficit, but AU was still ahead 28-23 going into the break.
Chest and Felker combined for Alfred University's first nine points to begin the second half. Beehler enjoyed a successful afternoon, scoring 11 straight points to close out the third quarter. The defense held Altoona without a point across the final four minutes before going into the fourth quarter with a 52-35 advantage. Shots by Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) and Chest had Alfred University leading by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter. Altoona responded with a 9-0 run, but late points by Beehler were enough for the Saxons to secure the win.
Alfred University will next travel to face Clark University on Sunday, December 29 in Worcester, Massachusetts with tip-off slated for 12:00 PM. The team will compete at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts the following day at 12:00 PM.
--Swords Forward Saxons--
