Elmira, NY- Alfred State dropped the season opener against Elmira 56-47. The Pioneers fall to 0-1 on the season and will look to rebound in Saturday's home opener against Oswego.

The Pioneers were led by Taylor Benjamin who tallied 14 points and eight rebounds. Jenna George and Jaiden Williams put in 11 points each and a combined 12 rebounds. Jessica Harris notched six rebounds and five points.

Williams opened the game with a layup, followed by a Benjamin three to take a 5-2 lead. The Soaring Eagles would finish the first quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 14-5 lead into the second.

To start the second quarter, Williams and Taylor Searle put in a layup each and Jessica Harris added a three to cut the deficit to 16-12. Following an Elmira bucket, Williams knocked down her first three of the season to cut the lead down to two. The Soaring Eagles would go on another run to end the half with a 29-21.

Elmira opened the second half with a 7-2 run, before Harris and Jenna George put in layups to stop the run. A few minutes later, Benjamin made a layup to make it a 36-29 game. Alfred State was able to get a few stops to end the quarter, as they trailed 42-32 going into the fourth.

The Soaring Eagles would hang on to win 56-47.