Houghton, NY- The Alfred State Women's basketball team fell to the Houghton Highlanders in their season opener tonight, 77-45. With tons of games left, the Pios are now 0-1.
 
Jordan Niles and Anna Merry led the Pioneers on the floor today, both scoring 11 points, Niles grabbing 7 rebounds. Taylor Benjamin was right behind her two teammates with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Mary Gibson led ASC defensively as she grabbed 9 rebounds on the night.
 
Houghton took a 10-0 lead before the Pioneers were able to score, Benjamin finding the hoop first. Merry took a huge charge for the Pios that lit up the crowd and bench, giving Alfred State the momentum they needed going into the second quarter. Jenna George laid two back-to-back layups in, as ASC closed the gap. At the end of the first half, the Pioneers were only down 11 points, 35-24.
 
Houghton continued their momentum into the third quarter, but Alfred State didn't back down. Benjamin started it off with a jumper followed by a Sarah Somers layup in the paint, which led to a Taylor Searle layup, closing it up 39-30. The Highlanders kept separating the score further into the fourth quarter as ASC struggled to comeback. Houghton would run out the clock to secure the win, 77-45.
 
The Pios take the court again on Tuesday for their home opener against Cobleskill, jumpball set for 5 pm!