FREDONIA, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team lost a non-conference road matchup to Fredonia, falling by a final score of 70-59 on Saturday.
 
Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) led the way with 17 points, matching her career-high seven field goals made on 16 attempts. She also grabbed five rebounds and notched three steals. Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) registered 16 points on 4-of-13 overall and another perfect performance at the free throw line with 7-of-7. She added nine rebounds, three assists and two steals to her stat line. Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) posted her fifth double double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 11 boards.
 
After jumping out to a 9-3 lead in the first quarter with a layup and 3-point shot from Felker, the Saxons saw the Blue Devils respond with a decisive 19-2 run to end the quarter ahead, 22-11.
AU was held to just 8-of-29 from the field in the first half, while Fredonia went 15-of-38, resulting in a 39-24 halftime advantage.
 
The Saxons struggled early in the third quarter, outscored by the Blue Devils, 14-3. However, AU found its groove after Collins hit a fast-break jumper with 3:36 left, sparking a 10-4 run. Ashaya Wallace (Elmira, NY/Elmira) scored five points during that stretch. Still, the Blue Devils maintained their lead heading into the final frame, 57-37.
 
AU showed resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring the home team, 22-13. But the deficit proved too large to overcome.
 
The Saxons shot 20-of-59 (.339) from the field and tallied a season-high 17-of-25 (.680) at the free throw line. AU registered 14 points on 10 offensive rebounds.
 
Meanwhile, the Blue Devils were 28-of-78 (.359) overall and 11-of-17 (.647) at the charity stripe. Fredonia outscored AU, 46-30, in the paint while recording 23 points off 18 Saxon turnovers and 20 on the fast break.
 
"I'm pleased we showed some toughness and fight the last 15 minutes, but the other 25 were really disappointing," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We weren't good on either end and when we started focusing on what we could control and ourselves, we played better. We're excited to go to Puerto Rico and spend quality time together while playing two tough opponents."
 
The Saxons head to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they will play two games in the Puerto Rico Clasico. AU competes in the first game against Johnson & Wales University on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 10:00 AM (11:00 AM AST).