Total Team Effort Leads Pioneers to Victory to Open 2018

Four different Pioneers scored in double figures as the Alfred State women's basketball team opened up 2018 with a 70-48 victory over D'Youville. 

D'Youville jumped out to a 9-2 lead but the Pioneers clawed back into the contest and took a 17-15 lead after the 1st quarter. Tied at 25-25 in the 2nd quarter, Alfred State finished the quarter on a 7-0 run to lead 32-25 at the break. The Spartans scored the first seven points of the 3rd quarter to tie it but the Pioneers scored the next eight points and never looked back. They led 49-37 at the end of the 3rd and added to the lead in the 4th quarter by outscoring D'Youville 22 to 11. Alfred led by as many as 23 in the contest.

Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville) and Janae Gibson (Bronx/Pelham Prep) led the way for Alfred State with 18 points each. Gibson had a double-double with 12 boards. Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks while April Acosta (Bronx/Evander Childs) chipped in 10 points and seven boards off the bench. Kelsey Shaulis (South Seneca) chipped in eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The Pioneers shot 42.3% from the field, connected on 2 out of 16 three-point attempts, and hit 8 out of 12 foul shots. The blue & gold also held a 51 to 45 advantage on the boards.

Jordan Smith led the Spartans with 17 points while Monica June finished with 11. The Spartans were held to 25% shooting from the floor, 14.3% from three, and 57.1% from the foul line.

The blue & gold are right back on the court on Saturday when they tangle with SUNY Poly. Opening tip is slated for 1 p.m.