Pioneers Hang on to Defeat Mercyhurst North East

The Alfred State women's basketball team held on to defeat Mercyhurst North East 52-50 on Wednesday evening. The Lady Pioneers improve to 4-2 on the year.

The blue & gold jumped out to a sizeable lead in the 1st half and led 29-14 with 3:03 remaining in the half. Mercyhurst rallied for the final five points in the 1st half and continued their run into the 2nd half until eventually tying the game at 33-33 with 13:15 remaining.

In the next 11 minutes the Lady Pioneers outscored the Saints 16 to 7 but the Saints didn't fade and cut the lead to 51-50 in the final seconds. Helena Covington (Elmira Free) hit 1 of 2 foul shots with 10 seconds remaining to make it a two-point game. The Saints rushed down the court and a pass was knocked out of bounds with 0.3 seconds remaining. Mercyhurst got a pass to Jalin Steel who hit a three-pointer but the referees ruled the shot was late (NCAA rules state that only a tip-in basket is allowed if there is 0.3 remaining or less).

Haley Witchella (Oxford) led the Pioneers with 19 points and 12 rebounds while Helena Covington (Elmira Free) added 12 points and 15 boards. Briana Meehan (Whitesville) chipped in in nine.

Steel led the Saints with 16 points and seven boards while Kashawnna Sampson added eight points. R'mani Garrad and Bianca Buckley each finished with six points.

Alfred State shot 33.% for the game and held a 57 to 45 advantage on the boards. They were slowed down by 28 turnovers (18 in the 2nd half). Mercyhurst NE shot 27.4% from the field and just 4 for 12 from the foul line.

Alfred State wraps up a busy stretch of games on Friday when they travel to Middlebury for a 6 p.m. contest.