BUFFALO, NY - Standout defense from the Alfred University women's basketball team led to a 49-46 win over Buffalo State College on Tuesday night. 

Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) finished the game with seven points and nine rebounds. Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) totaled six points and five boards. Jessica Beehler (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) led Alfred University with a team-high 14 points. 

"It's always nice to get a win when you don't shoot it well on the road," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "I thought we did some pretty solid things defensively, but we know we need to clean up just about everything before facing Nazareth on Saturday. I know we'll come with a focused effort when we're back in the gym together Thursday."

The Saxons were forced to play from behind in the opening quarter, but six straight points from Beehler equalized the score for AU. The defense held the Bengals to just a pair of points in the final three minutes of the quarter, but Alfred University trailed 10-8 entering the second quarter. Three-point shots by Beehler and Ava Anastasi (Sanborn, NY/Starpoint) opened scoring for the Saxons in the early stages of the second quarter. A layup by Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) gave AU their first lead of the evening. The defense was outstanding for the Saxons to close out the first half, holding Buffalo State to one basket across the final five minutes before going into the break with a 19-17 lead. 

Collins scored the first three points for AU to begin the second half. Four different players for AU scored as part of a 9-0 run to extend the advantage in the third quarter. The Bengals responded with a 9-2 run to close out the quarter, but the Saxons were still ahead 34-32 with one quarter remaining. Buffalo State tied the game in the early moments of the fourth quarter, but a layup from Collins gave the lead back to Alfred University. Consecutive baskets by Beehler were followed by a deep shot from Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) to give the Saxons some breathing room. The Bengals cut their deficit to four points, but late points from Samantha Fischer (Wappingers Falls, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) and Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) were enough for AU to come away with the win. 

Alfred University will next compete in their first Empire 8 matchup of the 2024-25 season at Nazareth University on Saturday at 5:00 PM.