Pioneers Make it Two Straight

The Alfred State women's basketball team earned their second straight victory with a 62-52 win over Pratt Institute on Monday. The blue & gold improve to 5-8 on the year and are 3-1 during the 2018 portion of the season.

Alfred State jumped out to a 8-1 lead in the first 2:10 of the game but went cold and didn't score the rest of the quarter and trailed the Cannoneers 12-8 after the first stanza. In the 2nd quarter, the Pioneers outscored Pratt 14 to 5 and never gave back the lead. The blue and gold added to their lead in the 3rd and led by as many as 18, 45-27, with 9:24 remaining in the game before Pratt tried to get back in the game. The Cannoneers got within eight, 51-43, with 4:27 remaining but Alfred State wouldn't let them get any closer.

For the second straight game, Kelsey Shaulis (Ovid/South Seneca) established a new career high with 18 points. She also grabbed eight boards. Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) and Janae Gibson (Bronx/Pelham Prep) each recorded a double-doubles. Bialecki had 19 points and 15 rebounds while Gibson had 12 points and 13 boards. Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville) chipped in seven points, five assists, and five rebounds.

Anna Bryce led all scorers with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Amissa Epperson and Idalia Kaplan each recorded double-doubles. Epperson finished with 11 points and 12 boards while Kaplan had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The blue & gold out-rebounded the Cannoneers 65 to 53 in the contest and forced 26 turnovers. Both teams struggled from the floor as the Pioneers shot 29.4% and the Cannoneers shot 26.2%. Alfred State did hit four 3-pointers (4 for 17) while Pratt was 1 for 15.

The Pioneers are on the road again on Thursday when they travel to Virginia Beach, VA to battle the Apprentice School. Opening tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.