UTICA, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team began their final week of regular season action with an 82-63 loss to Utica University on Friday night from the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium.

The Saxons (9-14, 5-10 Empire 8) won the rebound battle against the Pioneers (9-15, 6-9 Empire 8) by a 48-45 margin.

Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) led Alfred University with 17 points and three rebounds. Jessica Beehler (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) put together a double-double performance that included 10 points and 10 rebounds. Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell) added 17 points for AU.

"We're certainly disappointed with the result, but we showed some great fight in the second half after a first half where they dominated on both ends," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We struggled to get any bit of flow offensively and were extremely poor in transition defense to lead to an 18-point halftime deficit. Early in the second half we weren't too great either, but we did climb back to give ourselves a chance. I'm hoping to finish the regular season tomorrow on a high note against Keuka."

Harkenrider and Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) combined for five early points to give the Saxons the lead in the first quarter. A 6-0 run from the Pioneers was snapped by a jump shot from Chest. An additional ayup from Chest in the closing seconds cut the deficit for AU, who trailed 21-13 going into the second quarter. Utica began the second quarter with a 12-0 run to extend their lead before Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) scored for Alfred University. Chest and Kate Quinn (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) each contributed with points, but the Saxons were still behind 37-19 going into halftime.

The Pioneers offense remained hot in the third quarter, putting together an 11-1 run before AU responded with a three-point shot from Samantha Fischer (Wappingers Falls, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes). Chest added six points in the third quarter, but the Saxons were down 62-39 with one quarter remaining. Quinn scored the first three points for Alfred University to begin the fourth quarter. Harkenrider closed out the game with 10 points in the final quarter, but Utica managed to maintain their lead and came away with the win.

Alfred University will next wrap up their regular season on the road against Keuka College on Saturday at 2:00 PM.