ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team came from behind to force overtime and secure a gritty 78-76 win over Utica University on Saturday.

Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) delivered a sensational performance, scoring a career-high 38 points and breaking a 24-year school record. The previous record was 35 points, set by Christie Hayes '98 and Amy Ratchuk '02. Chest surpassed 30 points for the first time in her career, shooting 15-of-26 from the field, 5-of-9 from 3-point range and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. She also led the Saxons (8-5, 2-2 Empire 8) with a season-high five steals.

Meanwhile, Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) picked up her sixth double double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds while notching two blocks on the defensive end. Nelly Mbugeni (Tanga, Tanzania/Masai Girls) scored eight points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out a career-high eight assists.

Utica University (4-8, 0-3 Empire 8) jumped out to a commanding 22-11 lead in the first quarter. AU was able to trim the visitors' deficit to four by outscoring them, 21-14. Chest took over with 12 of those points. Both teams were close in field goals, with the Saxons notching 9-of-20 compared to the Pioneers' 7-of-18.  The advantage for AU came from the 3-point line as it held Utica University scoreless from deep while Chest and Ashaya Wallace (Elmira, NY/Elmira) combined for 3-of-7 on the other end. The Saxons went into halftime down, 36-32.

At the start of the third quarter, the Pioneers went on a 14-5 run to regain a double-digit lead, 50-37. Chest registered eight of her 10 quarter points with under five minutes to go to cut the score back within single digits. AU trailed 57-51 heading into the fourth quarter.

Chest and Wallace combined for the Saxons' three consecutive 3-point shots at the beginning of the final 10 minutes of regulation, bringing the home team within one, 61-60. Collins contributed back-to-back layups under the three-minute mark. As the clock was winding down, Mbugeni got the steal and passed to Chest for the 20-second layup. AU's defense held firm on the final possession, forcing a missed shot by Utica University, ending in a rebound for Libby Benner (Nunda, NY/Keshequa) that forced overtime.

Mbugeni got things going in overtime with back-to-back layups to bring the Saxons back in the lead since the beginning of the first quarter, 71-70. After the Pioneers jumped back in front on a jumper, Chest posted back-to-back layups on the fast break. Jayda L. Felker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) delivered the dagger with a massive 3-point shot at 58 seconds to push AU's edge to 78-74. The Pioneers responded with a layup to inch within two, but the Saxons' defense stood tall on the final possession. Utica University attempted a 3-point shot that missed and AU came out victorious.

The Saxons tied their season-high 30 made field goals on 78 attempts for 38.5%. AU also registered a season high from the 3-point line with 9-of-26 (.346) and a season high at the free throw line with 9-of-12 (.750). The Pioneers were 27-of-63 (.429) overall, 8-of-21 (.381) from behind the arc and 14-of-16 (.875) at the charity stripe.

AU had the 36-32 advantage in paint points, 17 points on all 17 offensive rebounds, 16 on 17 Pioneer turnovers and 10 on the fast break.

"What a fantastic basketball game both ways," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We struggled a bit early and spotted them some points. But again, had a huge late second quarter bucket from Ashaya [Wallace] to cut that led going into the half. In the second half, we just kept working, kept cutting the lead and got it to a back-and-forth game. Jaidyn [Chest] was obviously unbelievable on both ends and really took over the game. Nelly [Mbugeni] really had a great game, filling up the stat sheet and we fed off her energy as we always do. Natalee [Collins] defended at such a high rate today against a really talented player. And Jayda [L. Felker] really showed great toughness over the course of the full game. She was physical and consistent throughout and it pai off with the huge late three. What a great showing of toughness to gut out a huge win. Really proud of our group."

The Saxons are on the road next weekend, beginning at Hartwick College on Friday, Jan. 16, at 5:30 PM.