Women's Basketball Downed By Rallying Alfred State, 53-43

ALFRED, N.Y. – The Wells College women's basketball team posted a 53-43 road loss to Alfred State College on Monday. With the loss, Wells falls to 1-1 on the young season while the Pioneers improve to 3-2 on the season, avenging last season's loss to the Express.

Despite a 25-18 lead at the half, Alfred State rallied to outscore the Express by a 35-to-18 margin in the final 20 minutes. Wells only posted five offensive rebounds as the hosts dominated the glass by a 62-to-39 cumulative margin.

With 22 points off of second chance opportunities as opposed to only six for the Express, Alfred State's rebounding proved to be the difference maker in the contest. Alfred State shot only 25.7% (19-for-74) in the game, only 1-for-12 from distance and an underwhelming 14-for-28 (50%) from the charity stripe.

Wells was led by junior Holli Erkson (Cooperstown, N.Y.) and her 16 total points. Senior Kaitlynne Knapp (Port Byron, N.Y.) struck for a team-leading seven rebounds while junior Lindsay Achzet (Johnstown, N.Y.) was third on the team with eight points of offense.

The Express played a strong opening 20 minutes, building a 25-18 lead through the first half that was extended with back-to-back free throws by Achzet only 18 seconds into the second frame. Leading by nine, the Express lost the lead with 9:52 remaining as Steffanie Preston used a layup to lift her team to the 36-35 lead.

Freshman Yanna Ososkalo (Lyme, N.Y.) bombed a clutch three-point basket with 8:41 remaining in regulation time, recapturing the lead by a 38-36 margin, but the hosts limited Wells to only five points throughout the remainder of the contest.

Haley Witchella led the way with a 9-for-22 performance, scoring 23 points and collecting 20 total rebounds for the Pioneers. Helena Covington narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 11 points and hauling in nine rebounds.

Wells returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 3 as they face-off against Morrisville State College in a 6 p.m. contest on the road.