ALBANY, NY – Despite a late offensive surge in the fourth quarter, the Alfred University women's basketball team dropped an Empire 8 road contest at Russell Sage College, 64-49, on Saturday.
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The Saxons (9-6, 3-3 Empire 8) and the Gators (10-5, 5-1 Empire 8) were both tied at 12-all in the first quarter. AU's offense was stalled in the second and third quarters, where they were held to just 12 combined points. Russell Sage took advantage of the slump with 31 points on the other end to build a commanding lead. The Saxons rallied in the fourth with 25 points compared to the Gators' 21, but the home team's large advantage kept the game out of reach. 

Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) led the Saxons with 14 points on 4-of-19 from the field and 5-of-6 at the free throw line. Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) produced another double-figure rebounding performance with 10 boards while notching six points.
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AU jumped out to a 6-3 lead, holding Russell Sage College to score only from the charity stripe. However, the Saxons were held scoreless for the next three minutes, while the Gators tallied seven unanswered points to take the lead, 10-6. Briana Dorr (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) broke the drought on a jump shot with 3:07 left in the first quarter. Chest followed by registering two free throws and a fast break layup to tie the game at 12-all going into the second.
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AU found itself struggling in the second quarter as it was outscored, 17-7, by Russell Sage College. The Saxons went into halftime trailing by a double-digit deficit of 29-19.
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The shooting woes continued for AU in the third. The Saxons were only held to just 2-of-21 (.095) from the field while the Gators continued to build up their lead with 5-of-16 (.313).
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AU found its rhythm in the fourth quarter, exploding for 25 points, which was its most productive frame of the day. However, the scoring drought midgame proved too much to overcome.
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The Saxons host E8 leader SUNY Geneseo next for their Morgan's Message game on Friday, January 23, at 5:30 PM.