ALFRED, NY – Following an overtime loss to Russell Sage College on Friday, the Alfred University women's basketball team bounced back with a 59-43 victory over Hartwick College on Saturday. 

Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) registered her 1,000th career point on the first basket of the fourth quarter. She led Alfred University with 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) was the second leading scorer with 12 points.  

"It was great to get off to a nice start and build an early lead," head coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We played pretty well today. So proud of Grace for all the work she's put in to get to this point. She really does a great job leading by example and calming us down and deserves this. Excited to prepare for two more games next weekend."

The Saxons (12-8, 6-5 Empire 8) came out of the gate and posted a 22-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Alfred University shot 50% (16-32) while holding Hartwick College (5-14, 3-8 Empire 8) to just 24.1% (7-29) throughout the first half, which resulted in a 35-16 advantage at the break.

The Hawks went on a 12-0 run to cut the Saxons advantage to single digits in the beginning of the third quarter. Alfred University relied on Chest and Nelly Mbugeni (Tanga, Tanzania/Masai Girls) as they combined for nine of its 12 unanswered points that led to a 47-28 score.  

The Saxons went up by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter, which was enough to pull away with the victory.

Alfred University shot 43.3% (26-60) from the field and 22.7% (5-22) at the three-point line. Hartwick College was 26.8% (15-56) overall and 25.0% (4-16) from behind the arc. The Saxons outscored the Hawks, 40-16, in the paint and registered 14 points off 15 turnovers.

Alfred University travels to take on Keuka College for the second time this season at 5:30 PM on Friday, February 7.