Pioneers Close Out Regular Season

The Alfred State women's basketball team could not hold a 1st half lead as Maine Presque Isle rallied for a 63-59 victory on Sunday afternoon. The Lady Pioneers close out the regular season with a 14-9 record.

Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) scored 14 points in the 1st quarter as the blue & gold raced out to a 25-12 lead. The Pioneers added to their lead early in the 2nd and led by as many as 20, 33-13, before the Owls started their comeback. 

Trailing 35-22 at the half, UMPI outscored the Pioneers 21 to 13 in the 3rd to pull with 48-43 heading into the final quarter. The Owls tied the game at 49-49 with 6:41 remaining and finally took their first lead, 56-54, with 3:06 remaining. UMPI added to their lead and led by five, 61-56 with under a minute left. Michayla Salatel (Geneseo) hit a three with 26 seconds left but Sydney Churchill hit two foul shots to ice the game.

Bialecki recorded her second 30-point game of the week in the contest. She was 11 for 19 from the field and 8 for 12 from the line and grabbed 11 boards. Kacey Kane (Wellsville) finished with eight and Minnie Robinson (Washington DC) chipped in seven points and six assists. The Lady Pioneers shot only 32.9% from the field in the contest.

Amanda Hotham led the Owls with 19 points while Rhylee Wright finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Churchill chipped in 17. UMPI shot 31.5% from the field, connected on 7 of their 21 three-point attempts, and was 22 for 25 from the foul line.

The Pioneers will host the ACAA Championships next weekend. Seeding for the tournament will be announced on Monday. Semifinals will be at 4 and 6 p.m. on Saturday while the championship will be at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.