ALFRED, NY – Visiting Elmira College closed the game with an 11-1 run and came away with a 69-62 win over the host Alfred University women's basketball team Tuesday evening at the Galanis Family Arena.
 
Alfred (3-8, 0-3 Empire 8) led 61-58 with 4:13 remaining after a three-pointer by senior guard Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy). Elmira (4-6, 1-2 E8) then answered on a three from Alex Balara to tie the game 61-61.  The Soaring Eagles continued to mount their run and outscored the Saxons 8-1 the rest of the way.
 
AU trailed at the half, 29-22, but stormed back to tie the game at 35-35, on layup by freshman guard McKaylee Croll (Perry, NY/Perry) and took a 37-35 lead on a layup by sophomore forward Amanda Off (South New Berlin, NY/Unadilla).Two free throws by Off with 6:41 left in regulation gave AU its biggest lead, at 55-50.
 
Off led the Saxons with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Croll had 11 points and five assists while Cleary added nine points.
 
Balara scored a game-high 23 points with eight boards to pace Elmira. Danielle Cleary and Meghan Loya added 17 and 13 points, respectively.
 
AU is in action next on Friday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at home against Houghton.