UTICA, NY-  The Alfred University women’s basketball team lost in a 82-58 decision to Utica College, Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore guard Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) and sophomore forward Lindsay Drummond (Ogdensburg, NY/Ogdensburg) led the Lady Saxons in scoring with five points apiece. Junior forward Sarah Federico (Buffalo, NY/Holy Angels) also pulled down six rebounds as AU went into intermission trailing 41-23.

Turnovers (20) hurt Alfred throughout the game as they could not bounce back from the first half deficit they faced.  Utica would outscore AU in the second half, 41-35, and close out the contest on top. The Lady Saxons shot 38 percent from the field, 25 percent from beyond the arc, and 64 percent from the free throw line, for the game.

Cleary finished with a team-high 23 points and six rebounds to lead the Lady Saxons. Sophomore forward Shea Oleska (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse), Drummond and freshman guard Heather Hebert (Hilton, NY/Hilton) also finished with eight, seven, and seven points each.

Alfred (4-7, 0-3 Empire 8) continues conference play against Elmira College, on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m.