ONEONTA, NY—The Alfred University women's basketball team just missed scratching out a victory against Hartwick, finally losing by two, 58-56.
 
Just as the night before, the Saxons were outplayed in the paint (34-22) along with being flattened by the opponents bench players (30-2).  Despite these disadvantages, the Saxons fought to keep the game within striking distance and looked to make a surge in the closing seconds.  Unfortunately though, the Hawks only had committed five fouls going into the last ten seconds, giving them fouls to spare without giving the Saxons chance to tie the game.
 
The Saxons came out of the gate shooting well and grabbing an early lead of five only four minutes into the game.  Soon after, the Hawks would go on an 11-2 run over the course of five minutes to grab a four-point lead.  Hartwick then took control of the game and put up a seven-point lead on the Saxons. 
 
The persevering Saxons retaliated the rest of the half and was able to keep the game within three points going into the intermission, 29-26.
 
To start the second half, sophomore Amanda Off (New Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley) laid the ball up to bring the game within one.  The Hawks seemed to play with fire in the ensuing minutes, just staying out of the reach of the Saxons.  Finally, with 8:24 to play in the first, Emilea Harrison (Conesus, NY/Dansville) hit a three-pointer to give AU the lead.  Hartwick, would answer with a three of their own, only to have it negated by AU's Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) who dropped her own 3PT shot. 
 
Hartwick soon tied the game at 46 on a play in the paint, and looked to pull away from the Saxons getting a three-point lead.  Harrison had other ideas, and hit yet another three-pointer for the Saxons to tie the game.  To much chagrin to the Saxons, Hartwick began to pull away, getting a seven-point lead yet again.
 
In the closing two minutes of the games, the Saxons once again came charging back following strong defense to tie the game.  The Hawks were able to muster one more layup before forcing the Saxons to begin fouling in the one-and-one.  The Hartwick shooter missed the first free throw and Off ripped the ball down for the rebound.  The Hawks, still with only five fouls, immediately wrapped up the sophomore and forced the Saxons to inbound the ball with only five seconds to play.  The Saxons then turned the ball over and the clock expired with the Hawks on top, 58-56.
 
Off finished the afternoon with 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.  Harrison added another great game to her season with 15 points, six rebounds, and five steals.  Cleary also scored in the double-digits with 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds. 
 
The Saxons (3-7, E8 0-2) continue their Empire 8 play on Tue., January 6^th when they take on Elmira College at the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena in Alfred, NY.