Soaring Eagles slip by Lady Saxons, 61-58
2/05/13

ELMIRA, NY- The Alfred University women’s basketball team fell short to Elmira College, in a close 61-58 decision, Tuesday evening on the road in their final meeting of the season.

With a quick start by sophomore guard Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) (15 points), the Lady Saxons went into the half ahead 31-25.

Trailing by six points as the second half began Elmira had the gap close inside 10 minutes to 39-38. The lead continued to be held by the Lady Saxons, but no more than three points until the Soaring Eagles tied the game at 57-57 with a minute remaining in regulation. A pair of buckets from Elmira within the final minute gave them the eventual victory to close out the game.

For the game, Alfred outshot Elmira 33 percent (to 29 percent) from the field, 21 percent (to 17 percent) from beyond the arc, and 77 percent (to 65 percent) from the free throw line.

Cleary finished with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the three-point line (three for six) and from the field (six for 12), to lead Alfred. Freshman guard Heather Hebert (Hilton, NY/Hilton) scored 13 points, while junior forward Sarah Federico (Buffalo, NY/Holy Angels) (eight points) and sophomore forward Brennan Ferguson (Destrehan, LA/Ursaline Academy) pulled down 11 and eight rebounds as well.

Alfred (6-15, 1-11 Empire 8) return home to face Nazareth College on Friday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.