Utica, NY (1-31-14) – Junior Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) posted a double-double on 22 points and 11 boards to pace the Utica College women's basketball team Friday night despite a 75-66 loss to visiting Alfred University at the Clark Athletic Center in Empire 8 action.

UC falls to 5-13 overall and remains winless in league play at 0-9 while AU improves to 6-12 on the season and grabs its first win in conference play.  Utica is back in action Saturday as it travels to Elmira (4 p.m.) for another E8 battle while the Saxons return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they travel to Elmira (8 p.m.).

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 9-0 lead off four points from Stayer and five from Miceli just two minutes into the game. AU answered however with six straight points to pull within three, 9-6, at 17:34. The teams traded baskets over the next six minutes before the Saxons took their first lead of the game, 21-19, close to halfway through the first 20 minutes. Alfred would manage an 18-5 run over the next seven minutes to take its biggest lead of the half, 36-24, with just under four minutes left. UC would respond with a 7-0 push to pull within six points, 36-30, headed into the break.

The home team opened up the second half on a 9-0 run, over the first three minutes, to knot the contest up, 39-39, before Alfred began to regain the lead and momentum. The visitors, nonetheless, managed another run over the next ten minutes to take a nine point advantage, 61-52, at 10:33 and would hold on for their first league victory of the season.

Sophomore guard Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) netted 18 points for the Pioneers along with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals while Kelsey Cowell (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) added 10 points as well as eight boards in the loss.

Alfred's Harley Cleary scored a team-high 21 points while Kathryn Polletta chipped in with 11 for the Saxons.