ELMIRA, NY – The Alfred University women's basketball team faced a tough road challenge, falling at Elmira College by a score of 67-50, on Friday.
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The Saxons (9-10, 3-7 Empire 8) were down 11-2 in the first quarter. Both teams were tied in points during the next two quarters, with 12 in the second and 13 in the third. But a slow start and a 31-23 advantage in the fourth by the Soaring Eagles (10-9, 5-5 Empire 8) was not enough for the Saxons to make the comeback.
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Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) led with 14 points, three rebounds, a season-high six assists, and three steals. Libby Benner (Nunda, NY/Keshequa) contributed 12 points, with nine from 3-point range, and added three rebounds and three assists.
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AU found themselves down 11-2 in the first quarter after being held to just one field goal. Both teams tallied 12 points in the second. Benner hit back-to-back 3-point shots to keep the score close. However, it was Elmira College who had the 23-14 advantage at halftime. The Saxons shot 6-of-29 from the field while the Soaring Eagles went 9-of-31.
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Chest got the third quarter going with six points for AU. She later assisted Ava Anastasi (Sanborn, NY/Starpoint) on a 3-point shot that made it a six-point game at the 2:41 mark, 31-25. But Elmira College responded with two field goals to lead 36-27 at the end of the third/
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After Elmira opened the fourth quarter by extending their lead to double digits, Benner sparked an 8-1 AU run with a 3-point play. Chest followed with a layup at the 8:07 mark, trimming the Saxons' deficit to 40-35. Despite this push, Elmira quickly answered with an 11-0 run, effectively sealing the game.
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The Saxons struggled with 23 turnovers, which resulted in 31 points for the Soaring Eagles.
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"We had it close a few times in the second, third and fourth quarter," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "We just couldn't find a way to make the next play that would continue to shift momentum. They kept on expanding their lead when we got close. We only have six guaranteed games left together. So we have to be solution-oriented and figure out how to compete more consistently with discipline and execution."
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AU next heads north for an E8 contest at Keuka College on Saturday at 2:00 PM.