Elmira, NY – The Alfred State women's basketball team came up short against the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 69–54. The Pioneers drop to 1–4 overall.

Kirsten Merritt led the scoring for Alfred with 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting from deep. Emeline Barton made an impact on both ends, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. Sarah Somers filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

The Pioneers came out strong, building an 8–4 advantage behind triples from Jordan Niles and Barton, along with a bucket from Alyssa Auer. Elmira eventually found their rhythm, tying the game 8–8, but Somers quickly reclaimed the lead with a score inside. Through a handful of trips to the line and a layup by Merritt, Alfred closed the first quarter with a 17–13 cushion.

Somers opened the second period with a bucket in the paint one minute in. At 8:15, Elmira swung momentum in its favor and took a 20–19 lead. Somers and Auer answered with layups to put Alfred back in front, 23–20, but the back-and-forth continued, and the Pioneers trailed 36–28 at halftime.

Alfred pushed to narrow the deficit coming out of the break. With 6:49 left in the third, Merritt buried a triple to pull the Pioneers within seven, 41–34. Both teams traded baskets throughout the rest of the quarter, with Barton knocking down a free throw to cut Elmira's lead to 47–42 heading into the fourth.

In the final period, Alfred fought to regain momentum but couldn't close the gap as Elmira pulled away for the 69–54 win.

The Pioneers return home next to face Keuka College. Tipoff is set for Tuesday, November 25 at 5 p.m.