Pioneers Wrap Up Season

Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) recorded her 16th double-double and Steffanie Preston (Groton) scored a career high 15 points as the Alfred State women's basketball team wrapped up their 2016-17 season in a 75-61 loss to Dean College in a consolation game at the USCAA National Championships.

Preston scored 12 of her 15 points in the 1st half as the Pioneers and Bulldogs traded runs. Dean went into half with a 36-33 lead. In the 3rd, the Bulldogs went on a 18 to 6 run in the final 7:36 of the quarter to open up a 15 point lead, 58-43, heading into the final stanza. The Pioneers tried to make a comeback but Dean continued to answer all Pioneer runs.

Bialecki finished the day with 21 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks. Preston finished 6 for 8 for 15 points. She also grabbed eight boards. Kelly Kane (Wellsville) netted nine points, Minnie Robinson (Washington DC) scored five, passed out nine assists, and was credited with five steals while Kimberly Levee (Dansville) chipped in seven.

Chelsea Johnson had a monster game for the Bulldogs. She led all scorers with 31 points (6 for 16 from three). Fataya Larry had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Denisha Gardener finished with 11 poitns and 19 boards. Iindia Pina also finished in double-figures with 11.

The Pioneers, who finish the season 15-11, shot 39.7% from the field while the Bulldogs shot 34.9% and hit 6 of their 23 three-point attempts. Dean had a slight 52-51 rebounding advantage.

The contest was the last for four-year players Preston and Joselyn Johnson (Geneva). During their career the Pioneers won 53 games and made two postseason trips to the USCAA Championships.