Defense

Pioneers Heat Up in 2nd Half as they Down Delhi

As temperatures continued to drop outside, the Alfred State women's basketball team heated up in the 2nd half as they erased a nine point 1st half deficit and earned a 68-59 victory over SUNY Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Alfred State led 10-8 with late in the 1st quarter before Delhi went on a 8-0 run in the final two minutes to grab a 16-10 lead after ten minutes. The Pioneers tied it up at 20-20 with a 10-4 run in the first four minutes of the 2nd quarter. The Broncos answered with a 11-2 run to grab their largest lead of the game, 31-22. At the half, Delhi led 31-24.

In the 3rd quarter, the Pioneers shot 45% (9 for 20) and outscored Delhi 20-13 to tie the game up at 44-44 heading into the final ten minutes. The Pioneers grabbed their first lead since the 1st quarter with a 6-2 run to start the quarter. The game went back and forth until the Pioneers broke a 54-54 tie with a 12-2 run over the next four minutes to put the game away.

All five Pioneer starters finished in double figures. Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville) led the way with 16 points, nine assists, and seven boards. Kelsey Shaulis (Ovid/South Seneca) scored 13, Jordyn Pettit (Wellsville) had 12, and Skylar Shaulis (Ovid/South Seneca) had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Emily Kelley (Andover) rounded out the scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds.

The blue & gold shot 45% (18-40) from the field and finished the contest shooting 36.4% for the game (28 for 77). Key to the success was 9 for 11 shooting from the foul line including 5 for 7 in the final quarter.

The duo of Samiaya Salley and Kiera Holland scored 48 of the Broncos (11-8) points. Salley hit six 3-pointers and finished with a game high 25 while Holland added 23. Delhi shot 28.4% from the field, 26.9% from three (7 for 26), and 76.9% (10 for 13) from the foul line.

The Pioneers have over a week off before they have a rematch with the Broncos on February 9th. Opening tip-off is at 2 p.m.