Villa uses Big 4th Quarter to Spoil Pioneers Season Opener

Alfred State and Villa Maria headed into the 4th quarter tied at 44-44 in the Pioneers season opener. The Vikings scored the first nine points in the 4th and outscored the Pioneers 22 to 12 in the quarter en route to a 66-56 victory in the season opener for the blue & gold.

The Pioneers started off fast scoring the first six points of the game but Villa fought back and led 15-10 at the end of the 1st quarter. The Vikings added to their lead in the 2nd and held a 32-24 lead at the half. Alfred State went on a 12 to 4 run to tie the game up at 36-36 and the game went back and forth the rest of the quarter. In the deciding 4th quarter, Villa went on the 9-0 run in the first two minutes and was 9 for 16 (56.3%) in the final quarter.

Janae Gibson (Bronx/Pelham Prep) had a monster debut for the Pioneers. She finished the night with 26 points and 19 rebounds (12 offensive). Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) finished the night with 11 points and eight rebounds while Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville) added 10 points.

Shaquana Owens recorded a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Bianca Brown finished with 13 points and eight boards and Nina Cray had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Alfred State was cold from the field, 28.8% from the floor, while Villa shot 40% from the field for the game. The Vikings held a slight 54 to 53 advantage on the boards. The Pioneers forced Villa into 25 turnovers.

The Pioneers hit the road for the first time on Friday when they travel to Medaille for a 6 p.m. battle with the Mavericks.