SAN JUAN, PR – The Alfred University women's basketball team fell to Johnson & Wales University, 87-39, in its first game of the Puerto Rico Clasico on Tuesday.
 
Libby Benner (Nunda, NY/Keshequa) and Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) each led with eight points. Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) and Nelly Mbugeni (Tanga, Tanzania/Masai Girls) finished with seven apiece. Both were the top two rebounding leaders for the Saxons (5-4, 0-1 Empire 8). Collins registered a game-high nine boards while Mbugeni grabbed eight.
 
JWU (8-2, 3-0 CNE) came out firing in the opening quarter, stifling AU's offense to only four free throws combined from Chest and Mbugeni. The Wildcats had a 22-4 commanding lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.  
 
Ashaya Wallace (Elmira, NY/Elmira) scored the first two field goals for the Saxons in the early stages of the second quarter. AU shot 6-of-18 from the field with 3-of-11 at the 3-point line. However, JWU maintained its lead, one field goal ahead of the Saxons with 7-of-17 overall, along with a perfect 6-of-6 at the charity stripe. The Wildcats had a 42-19 advantage going into halftime.
 
The shooting woes continued for AU in the second half as it was only able to shoot 6-of-31 while JWU went 18-of-36.
 
The Saxons were outscored, 48-14, in the paint by the Wildcats. JWU converted 33 points on 25 turnovers by AU, 26 on the fast break and 19 on 13 offensive rebounds.
 
The Saxons play their next game in the Puerto Rico Clasico against Mount St. Mary College on Thursday at 3:00 PM (4:00 PM AST).