Fast Start Propels Pioneers

A night after a winter storm dumped over a foot of snow the Alfred State women's basketball team used a fast start to defeat Maine Fort Kent. The Pioneers went on a 18 to 4 run early in the 1st quarter as they raced to a 78-60 victory.

The game was tied 4-4 early in the game before the Pioneers went on the 18 to 4 run. The blue & gold led 26-17 after the 1st quarter and 40-29 at the half. They added to their lead in the 3rd and led by 20, 60-40. The Bengals cut the lead to nine early in the 4th quarter but the Pioneers put together another run to put the game away.

Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond), Kelsey Shaulis (South Seneca), Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville), and Janae Gibson (Brons/Pelham Prep) all had big games for the blue & gold. Bialecki had 25 points, 17 boards (13 defensive), and nine blocks. Shaulis had a career high 16 points, Anderson finished with 12 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, and Gibson chipped in 12 points and 14 boards. Kelly Kane (Wellsville) came off the bench and added seven points.

The Pioneers (4-8) shot 60% from the field (12 for 20) in the 1st quarter to get off to the fast start. They finished the game shooting 43.1% from the field (31 for 72) and 54.2% from the foul line (13 for 24). They also held a 62 to 40 advantage on the boards.

Savana Jankowski had 21 points and seven boards for the Bengals (6-7). Bianca Gutierrez finished with 11 points and eight boards and Alex Sanchez-Moral had eight. UMFK shot 29.3% from the field and 76.9% from the foul line.

The Pioneers are back at it on Monday when they travel to Pratt for a 5 p.m. tip-off.