ROCHESTER, NY - A contested Empire 8 matchup for the Alfred University women's basketball team resulted in a 65-62 loss to Nazareth College on Saturday afternoon from the Kidera Gymnasium. 

The Saxons (3-3, 0-2 Empire 8) shot 43.1 percent from the field, while the Golden Flyers (4-3, 2-0 Empire 8) relied on 34 points from the bench.. 

Alfred University was led by Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell), who finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) ended with 11 points and four boards. Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) added 10 points for AU. 

"We did a really nice job in the second half and played like we know we're capable of," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "At halftime, we discussed being more disciplined defensively and they did a great job locking in. Unfortunately, we weren't good enough in the first half and that's ultimately where we lost the game."

Opening baskets from Flint and Harkenrider in the first quarter gave Alfred University the early lead. An 8-1 run by the Golden Flyers had the Saxons trailing by as many as four points in the quarter. A three-point shot by Flint in the final minutes of the quarter was met with a layup by Nazareth, as AU trailed 19-16 entering the second quarter. 

A jump shot from Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) was followed by an open layup from Anne Spila (Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity) to give Alfred University a one-point lead midway through the second quarter. The lead changed twice before Nazareth put together a 6-0 run to put AU behind by seven points with under three minutes remaining in the first half. The Golden Flyers piled on five additional points before carrying a 37-29 advantage into halftime. 

Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) sparked a 7-0 run for the Saxons to begin the second half and cut their deficit to one point. Later in the quarter, a three-point shot from Rebecca Jewett (Nyack, NY/Nyack) gave Alfred University their first lead of the half. Nazareth took back the lead in the final seconds thanks to successful free throws, as AU trailed 54-52 going into the four quarter.

Rittenhouse hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the lead back to Alfred University in the opening minute of the final quarter. A 7-1 run for the Golden Flyers put the Saxons behind by five points with three minutes remaining in the game. Both Stewart and Harkenrider made shots late for AU, but successful free throws following an offensive foul in favor of Nazareth sealed the game.  

"If we play like we did in the second half, I like our chances against anyone," Moskowitz said. "We will get to work on Monday to prepare for a talented, undefeated Houghton team."

Alfred University will next return home to host Houghton University on Wednesday with tip-off slated for 5:30 PM.