HAMBURG, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team started the 2025-26 season on a high note with a dominating 63-31 road win at Hilbert College on Friday.

Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) led the Saxons (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) with 17 points on 7-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 at the three-point line while notching five rebounds and two steals. Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) also scored in double figures with 11 points on 4-of-13 from the field. She added five rebounds, two assists and two blocks to her stat line. Nelly Mbugeni (Tanga, Tanzania/Masai Girls) grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds with a career-high eight on offensive boards while recording three assists and two steals. 

AU finished the first quarter with a 13-8 advantage. Building on this momentum, they maintained consistent scoring in the second quarter, taking a 26-17 lead into the half. The game was decisively put away in the third quarter, as the Saxons outscored the Hawks (0-1, 0-0 AMCC), 21-8.

AU held Hilbert College to single-digit points in each of the four quarters. The Saxons shot 32.5% (25-77) overall while limiting the Hawks to just 17.4% (12-69). From behind the arc, AU was 32.3% (10-31) compared to Hilbert College's 16.7% (4-24). The Saxons outscored the Hawks, 28-6, in the paint, tallied 17 points off of 21 home team turnovers and posted 13 points on 17 offensive rebounds.

"Thought we defended really well throughout the course of the game," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "Our transition offense and advantage situation decision making in the first half was really poor. A lot of unforced errors stemming from bad spacing and lack of patience. Coming out of the half, we did a great job quickly expanding our lead and playing with much better flow on the offensive end. We have things to work on for sure, but I'm especially proud of our 20 assists and 25 made field goals tonight."

Looking ahead, AU plays its home opener against Buffalo State at Terry S. Galanis Family Arena on Tuesday at 5:00 PM. The Saxons will also host their Canned Drive, with proceeds going to the Alfred University Food Pantry. Fans attending the game are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods, sealed toiletries, kitchen essentials, shelf-stable snacks and cleaning supplies.