Alfred, NY- The Alfred State Women's Basketball team controlled the tempo and held a full game lead over the Mount Aloysius Mounties in tonight's first round of the AMCC tournament, grabbing the win 62-54. The Pioneers advance to the semifinals where they will take on the #1 seed, Penn State Behrend.
 
Emeline Barton controlled the court offensively and defensively tonight as she notched a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Jordan Niles contributed 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Taylor Searle and Alyssa Auer both recorded 11 points of their own as well.
 
Jumping early, the Pios pushed through the first quarter, as Searle sparked the offense with a three-pointer while Auer and Barton added key buckets in the paint. With strong defense and rebounding, ASC led by seven points, 20-13 going into the second quarter. Taylor Benjamin and Searle would knock down key threes in the second quarter, with Barton, Niles and Auer controlling the paint. The Mounties stayed within striking distance, but the Pioneers held a 38-30 advantage going into the half.
 
Alfred State answered every Mount Aloysius push in the third, extending the lead behind Auer's early three and consistent work inside the paint from Niles and Barton. The Mounties managed to cut the deficit to three-points midway through the quarter, but the Pios created chaos and took a 50-42 lead into the final quarter. Mount Aloysius continued to try and find that late break, but ASC responded with clutch inside plays from Barton. The Pioneers held firm defensively in the final minutes to secure the 62-54 victory.
 
Alfred State will travel to Penn State Behrend on Friday for the semifinal match-up against the Lions. Tip off is set for 1 pm.