ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick women's basketball won for the fourth straight time in 2013 on Saturday with a convincing 68-42 Empire 8 Conference win over Alfred University in a game played at Lambros Arena. The Hawks improve to 11-3 overall and 4-0 in the league and are tied atop the E8 standings with Ithaca.
            'Wick used a smothering defense in the first half as it forced 15 AU turnovers which it turned into 16 points. The Saxons accumulated more turnovers than points (13) in the opening frame as the Hawks allowed them to convert just four field goals.
             Freshman forward Brittney Dumas (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow HS) led a balanced Hartwick offensive attack with 22 points. For the weekend, she converted 18 of her 22 field-goal attempts for an astounding 82% from the floor.
            Junior guard Kate Purcell (Buffalo, NY/Mt. Mercy Academy) was the only other Hawk in double figures with 11 points. She also tied with Dumas for a game-high six rebounds and she added game-bests of six assists and three steals.
            "It was another great collective effort," remarked Hartwick head coach Missy West after the resounding win. "It was great to see everyone play today as all of our players work so hard and deserve it."
            The Hawks were in command from the opening tip as they forced six Saxon turnovers in the opening four minutes and built a 10-0 lead. Alfred would get on the scoreboard with 15:41 left in the half but the team would go scoreless for another four minutes.
            Back-to-back three-pointers from Lee Arduini (Albany, NY/Academy of the Holy Names) and Maria Foglia (Rensselaer, NY/Catholic Central) pushed the Hawk advantage to 18-3 with seven minutes and gone and 'Wick was comfortably in front for the rest of the game.
            Hartwick did not let up on the defensive end and the Saxons were unable to reach double figures until 2:28 remained in the half. 'Wick took a 20-point lead, 31-11, with 1:11 to go before entering halftime up 32-13.
            Alfred cut the deficit to 17 after an early second-half basket. It was all Hartwick from that point on, however, as Dumas would score 14 of the Hawks' next 21 points over the ensuing five minutes. It was all part of a 21-1 run to build a 37-point advantage, 53-16, and 'Wick cruised the rest of the way.
            The Hawks would end the game shooting 49% (28-for-57) and they shared the basketball all day with 20 assists on their 28 baskets. 'Wick outscored its opponent 40-14 in the paint and held a 37-26 edge on the glass.
            Dumas shot 10-of-12 (83%) from the floor in the game to lead eleven different Hawks in the scoring column. Arduini ended the game with seven points, Ana Horowitz (Newton, MA/Newton South) added six, and Foglia ended up with five. Katrina Caulfield (Palmer, MA/Palmer) scored four points and dished out four assists and Jessica Bellai (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) contributed four points.
            "Each game shows us areas where we need to improve," added West. "I know our players will continue to improve and not settle. I'm very proud of our focus and effort."
             Alfred closed the day shooting 35.9% (14-for-39) as a group. Rachael Stedman led the Saxons with eight points. Harley Cleary chipped in with seven points and Hailey Sick added six.
            The Hartwick Hawks are off until next weekend. The Blue and White host Houghton at Lambros Arena on January 18 and Nazareth on January 19.