ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team fell to Nazareth University, 67-39, in its first Empire 8 contest of the season on Saturday.
 
The Saxons also hosted their Breast Cancer Awareness Game, honoring family and friends who are currently or have recently battled cancer.
 
Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) led with 16 points on 4-of-12 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, marking the fifth time she has registered double figures in boards this season.
 
The first quarter began as a defensive battle. The Golden Flyers (4-2, 1-0 Empire 8) opened the scoring before the Saxons (5-2, 0-1 Empire 8) tied the game at four-all after buckets from Chest and Collins. Kate Quinn (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) scored in the paint off the assist from Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) to keep AU close, 8-6. After Nazareth University went up by five, Ava Anastasi (Sanborn, NY/Starpoint), who made her first career start, drained a 3-point shot to cut the deficit within two, 12-10. But the Golden Flyers scored back-to-back layups to take the 16-10 lead at the end of the first.
 
In the second quarter, Nazareth University began to pull away, outscoring the Saxons, 18-10. While AU found 6-of-8 at the charity stripe, including a perfect 6-of-6 from Chest, it struggled to convert from the floor as it went 2-of-10. The Golden Flyers extended their lead to double digits with 6-of-11 overall and 5-of-8 at the free-throw line, sending the Saxons into halftime trailing 34-20.
 
The third quarter proved decisive, as the Golden Flyers' offense heated up while the Saxons went cold. AU was outscored by Nazareth University, 21-8, in the frame that made it, 55-28, in favor of the visitors.
 
The Saxons continued to fight in the fourth quarter, with a 3-point shot by Collins, three free throws from Felker and jumpers by Chest and Quinn. Despite their relentless effort, the gap proved too large to overcome.
 
AU was unable to overcome a tough shooting night, finishing just 12-of-56 (.214) from the field. The Saxons, however, had the advantage at the charity stripe as they combined for a season-high 13-of-18 (.722). Meanwhile, the Golden Flyers shot 27-of-67 (.403) overall with 44 points in the paint and 25 points off 22 turnovers by the Saxons.
 
"We struggled to execute on both ends in the first half, and that put us in a tough hole early," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "Naz is a solid defensive team that's disciplined and made it hard for us to score when we didn't have proper spacing. On another note, we are thankful for all the support our fundraising campaign to help fight breast cancer has received and are looking forward to a successful finals week ahead before preparing for Fredonia."
 
AU turns back to non-conference play as it travels to Fredonia on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2:00 PM.