ROCHESTER, NY - A second half push from St. John Fisher University resulted in a 58-44 win over the Alfred University women's basketball team on Friday evening from the Manning and Napier Varsity Gym.
The Saxons (3-2, 0-1 Empire 8) outscored the Cardinals (5-2, 1-0 Empire 8) in each of the first two quarters but were outrebounded by a 42-28 margin across the full game.
Alfred University was led by the efforts of Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell), who finished the game with 17 points and three rebounds. Karly Welty (Portville, NY/Portville Central) ended with 10 points to go with six boards.
"We played a very nice first half, but admitted we could have been better," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "They came out early and took it to us on both ends, but then we settled down, and got some solid looks in the middle portion of the third and early fourth quarter that just didn't fall. We definitely need to finish defensive possessions, as they had some huge offensive rebounds that led to fouls and timely threes. Those ultimately make it really difficult to beat good teams like Fisher."
The Saxons jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter thanks to a quick five points between Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) and Rittenhouse. Moments later in the quarter, successful free throws from Welty had Alfred University leading by as many as eight points. Each side continued to trade shots before the Saxons entered the second quarter with a 16-12 advantage. Early points from Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) and Harkenrider in the second quarter extended the lead for AU. The Cardinals put together an 8-3 run to trail by just four points with less than four minutes remaining in the half. Welty found an opening in the paint to close out the first half, as Alfred University led 30-22.
St. John Fisher began to work their way back in the game following a 7-1 run to open the second half. A three-point shot for the Cardinals tied the game with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. Harkenrider retaliated with a shot from beyond the arc to give the Saxons a one-point advantage moments later. St. John Fisher ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to hold a 43-38 lead over AU. The Cardinals carried momentum into the fourth quarter, putting together a 10-4 run to hold their first double-digit lead of the evening. The Saxons fought hard throughout the contest but couldn't get the lead back before the final horn.
"I'm proud of our competition level and our overall execution," Moskowitz said. "I'm excited to go to work with this crew tomorrow against Nazareth."
Alfred University will next remain on the road as they face Nazareth College on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 PM.