ALFRED, NY-  The Alfred University women’s basketball team lost a tight Empire 8 matchup (66-64) against the visiting St. John Fisher College Cardinals, Tuesday evening at the McLane Center.

The Cardinals headed into halftime with a substantial lead of 40-22, but Alfred would make a late offensive tear in the second half bringing the score to 64-59 with 3:30 remaining in the match.  Alfred then brought the score to 66-64 with 20 seconds left.  After a St. John Fisher turnover, the Lady Saxons had a final opportunity to tie it up, but a missed jump shot, as time expired would seal the victory for Fisher.

AU outscored Fisher 42-26 in the second half. Alfred shot 36 percent from the field, 58 percent from beyond the arc, and 72 percent from the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Emilea Harrison (Conesus, NY/Dansville) scored a team-high 16 points to pace the Lady Saxons.  Junior guard Rachael Stedman (Hamburg, NY/Springville Griffith) and junior forward Sarah Federico (Buffalo, NY/Holy Angels) added 14 and 11 points.  Federico also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

AU (5-12, 0-8 Empire 8) returns to action Friday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. against Nazareth.