Alfred, NY- The Alfred State Women's basketball team dropped their opening Crossbar Classic matchup to the Thiel Tomcats. The Pioneers fall to 0-2 on the season. 

First year Emeline Barton led the Way for the Pios with 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Kirsten Merritt followed with 14 points, and Taylor Searle dominated the boards with 12 rebounds. 
The first quarter started slowly as both teams worked to settle in, but Thiel began to build momentum while ASC struggled, opening just 1-for-7 from the field. The Tomcats jumped out to an 8–3 lead with five minutes remaining. The Pioneers' shooting woes continued throughout the quarter, finishing 5-for-20 from the floor. However, back-to-back threes from Searle and Merritt sparked the offense, trimming the Thiel lead to 19–13 at the end of the quarter.

 The Pioneers found their rhythm to start the second quarter, with Jordan Niles opening the frame with a strong layup. Merritt followed with an and-one, trimming the deficit to 21–20. Thiel responded with an impressive 24–11 run to close out the half, pushing their lead to 45–31 heading into the break.

To open the second half, the Pioneers surged with a 10–4 run capped by a Barton three, cutting the deficit to just eight. Thiel managed to steady the momentum, answering the push and carrying a 61–50 lead into the fourth quarter.

Sarah Somers opened the fourth quarter with a quick bucket, setting the tone for a strong final frame as she scored the Pioneers' first six points. A few minutes later, an Emeline Barton fast-break layup off a Taylor Benjamin steal cut the deficit to six, continuing ASC's late push. However, that was as close as the Pioneers would get, as Thiel held firm down the stretch to secure the win 79-71.
Alfred State will head across the street to Alfred University tomorrow, November 15^th, to face Bard. Tipoff is scheduled for 2pm