Pioneers Win ACAA Title

The Alfred State women's basketball team used a total team effort as they won the ACAA Championships 88-58 over Pine Manor on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers outscored the Gators in every quarter to improve to 15-9 on the year.

Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) had 11 points and Kelly Kane (Wellsville) scored six in the 1st quarter as the Pioneers raced out to a 26-13 lead. The continued to roll in the 2nd as the bench scored 11 of the teams 20 points to lift the blue & gold to a 46-20 halftime lead.

The Gators tried to make a run in the 3rd but the Pioneers continued to answer back. Kimberley Levee (Dansville) scored five while Bialecki and Kane scored four as Alfred State headed to the 4th with a 27 point lead. Levee scored eight more in the 4th as the Lady Pioneers hit 10 of their 20 shots to ice the game and claim the victory.

Bialecki was named tournament MVP after finishing the game with 27 points and 21 rebounds. Levee joined Bialecki on the all-tournament team after scoring 22 points and grabbing nine boards. Kane was also honored after chipping in 10 points, five boards, and four assists.

Michayla Salatel (Geneseo) added 10 points, Steffanie Preston (Groton) finished with eight points, and Minnie Robinson (Washington DC) passed out eight assists.

The Pioneers were 38 for 85 from the field, connected on 5 of their 13 three-point attempts, and held a huge 68 to 47 advantage on the boards.

Pine Manor (10-14) was led by Erica Jones. Jones finished with 21 points. Shaneka Monroe added 15 points while Shaquanda Middleton added 13. Tiana Jordan was named all-tournament after pulling down a team high 13 boards.

The Gators shot only 24.7% from the field, 30.8% from three, and were 16 of 29 from the foul line.

Maine Presque Isle's Amanda Hotham joined Bialecki, Levee, Kane, and Jordan on the all-tournament team.

This was the 1st American Collegiate Athletic Association Championship. The tournament was sponsored by the Assocation of Division III Independents.

The blue & gold now shift their focus to the USCAA National Tournament. They enter the tournament as the #6 seed and will battle #3 Rochester (MI) on Wednesday in the quarterfinals. Opening tip-off is slated for 11 a.m.