Altoona, PA- The Alfred State Women's Basketball team suffered a season-ending loss in the first round of the AMCC tournament in a hard-fought battle against Penn State Altoona, 63-52.
 
Leading the Pioneers in tonights match-up Taylor Benjamin as she knocked down 16 points and grabbed nine boards. Josie Barton and Sarah Somers each tallied nine points, Somers snagging five rebounds. Jordan Niles also notched seven points on the night.
 
The Pios came in hot, dropping nine points within the first five minutes, Altoona struggling to find a bucket. Somers kick started this rally with Benjamin and Taylor Searle responding after. Going into the second quarter, ASC was leading by five, 11-6.
 
Barton knocked down an immediate three to start off the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Lions were slowly trying to work their way back into the game. After two good free throws by Benjamin, the Pios went into half-time up by six, 26-20.
 
Altoona found a bucket first after half, but Barton was quick to respond with a big three pointer assisted by Benjamin. With four minutes left in the third quarter, the Lions managed to take the lead by one point, 34-33. After some intense back and forth action, Altoona led the game by five, going into the final quarter, 45-40.
 
Barton knocked down her third three pointer of the night with less than nine minutes left in the game. Altoona would then go on a seven-point rally, pushing ASC behind. After two complete Niles free throws and a Benjamin three, the Pios closed the gap, only down by four points with four minutes remaining, 52-48. The Pioneers were unable to pull through as Altoona took home the win, 63-52.