ALFRED, NY - A defensive battle for the Alfred University women's basketball team led to a 60-45 win over Houghton University on Tuesday night from the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena. 
 
The Saxons (8-12, 4-8 Empire 8) held the Highlanders (18-3, 9-3 Empire 8) to a mere 9.1 percent from three-point territory as part of their win. 
 
Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell) led Alfred University with 14 points, while accounting for two steals and a block on the defensive end. Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) scored 14 points to go with nine rebounds. Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) finished the game with a double-double performance that consisted of 10 points and 13 boards. 
 
"We came out pretty strong to start, but a run by Houghton in the second quarter forced a timeout and a bit of a wakeup call for us," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We responded well after that and, really from that point, like we were gaining momentum. Our cuts got us some nice driving lanes and layup opportunities off the cuts as well. We ultimately put together some solid defensive stops and started to pull away. This was an impressive win for our squad who's showing some fight late in the year."
 
The Saxons relied on the deep shot to begin the game, as Chest, Harkenrider and Rittenhouse combined for 12 points in the quarter. Houghton was limited to just two points across the final three minutes, but AU trailed 13-12 going into the second quarter. The Highlanders began the second quarter with a 9-2 run. Four points from Rittenhouse were followed by a layup from Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville), as the Saxons were behind 27-24 going into the break. 
 
Baskets from Collins and Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) to begin the second half gave Alfred University a brief lead. There were four lead changes in the third quarter, but a late free throw from Rittenhouse tied the game, 36-36, going into the final quarter. 
 
Harkenrider opened scoring for AU with a three-point shot. The Saxons relied on 10 consecutive points from Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) to extend the advantage to double-digit figures. Alfred University scored 11 points from the free throw line to distance themselves from the Highlanders and hold on for the win. 
 
Alfred University will next remain at home on Friday against Russell Sage College at 5:30 PM.