Erie, PA- The Alfred State Women's Basketball team suffered a tough loss in the semi-final match-up this afternoon against the #1 seed, Penn State Behrend, 67-57. The Pioneers closed out their 2025-26 season with a 16-11 overall record, 10-6 in the conference.
 
Jordan Niles and Emeline Barton led the Pios on the court, Niles coming up with 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Barton notched a double-double, putting up 11 points and securing 10 rebounds. Taylor Searle would contribute nine points while recording eight rebounds.
 
ASC struck first when Niles finished in the paint off a steal to which the Lions would grab a short lead. Answering back quickly, with strong inside play from Barton, Alyssa Auer and Mallory Sprissler, the Pioneers battled back. Searle would drain a three-pointer and late tip-in to close the first quarter with a seven-point advantage, 17-10. The Lions made a comeback in the second quarter to take the lead, keeping Alfred on their toes. The Pios responded with buckets from Auer, Searle and Barton while Niles and MaKenna Manning converted key free-throws to help Alfred State regain momentum and take a 29-27 edge into halftime.
 
Behrend opened the third quarter with a strong push, but ASC kept their pace behind Niles and Auer. After a late answer to the Lions lead, the Pioneers were able to cut the deficit to just one point, going 43-42 into the final quarter. In the final minutes, the Lions and Pioneers went bucket for bucket, Alfred was able to cut the gap to two behind fast-break finishes from Taylor Benjamin and Niles. The Lions found a way to clutch free-throws in the end as ASC couldn't make the comeback, falling 67-57.