Alfred, NY- Alfred State women's basketball fell to the Carlow Celtics in what was a tight game, 70-64. After the loss, Pioneers falls to 4-12 on the season, 3-4 in conference play.
Taylor Benjamin led the way for Alfred as she notched a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Sarah Somers tallied her own double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Somers got involved on both ends for the Pioneers and tallied four assists and two blocks.
The first quarter began with both teams battling each other as neither could gather a strong lead. Benjamin scored eight of the 12 points the Pioneers had in the quarter.
In the second quarter, Pios fought to gain momentum as they trailed behind the Celtics. Kirsten Merritt notched two shots from behind the arc to try and keep Alfred in it. The Pioneers also saw contributions from Jordan Niles and Taylor Searle during the quarter too. The first half ended with the Pios down 43-30.
The Pioneers came alive in the third quarter as they rallied together to try and shorten the gap. Somers kicked off the action with a made layup that she later followed up on. Her second made layup would spark a run for the Pioneers as her and Benjamin took turns dropping buckets to bring the team within reach. The quarter ended with the Pioneers behind by just two as Benjamin and Somers dropped all of the team's 12 points for the quarter.
The fourth quarter began hot for Alfred as they tied things up and took the lead just two minutes in. Benjamin and Jenna George both scored a layup to make it possible. As the Pios continued fighting to stay in it, Benjamin would not let up and dropped what was her third made basket that brought the deficit back within two.
Alfred's rally ended up falling short as the fell 70-64.
Pios will head to Erie PA next to take on Penn State Behrend. Tip of will be Wednesday, January 22nd at 7pm.
