ROCHESTER, NY—The Alfred University women's hoops team struggled for the second game in a row in Rochester falling to St. John Fisher College, 89-45.
 
The Saxons, coming off a tough loss at Nazareth College, returned to Rochester to take on Empire 8 rival, St. John Fisher College.  The Cardinals found a way to control the game from the beginning dominating in points in the paint (48-18) and points off turnovers (38-10).  SJFC also rode the momentum of three long runs to create distance between themselves and the Saxons.
 
In the first half the Cardinals came out hot and never cooled down until the final whistle.  With 12:09 to go in the first half Fisher was up 21-8, but carried on with a 17-3 run over the next 4:04 to grab a 24-point lead. 
 
The strong inside defense was able to shut down sophomore forward Amanda Off (Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley) to only three points and four rebounds in the first half.  Seniors Harley Cleary (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) and Emilea Harrison (Conesus, NY/Dansville)looked to pick up the team with nine and eight points, respectively.  However, the Saxons were held to 9-of-30 (30.0%) shooting from the field and Fisher jumped out to a 43-21 lead.
 
Cleary opened the second stanza with a jumper on an assist from fellow senior Hailey Sick(Dansville, NY/Dansville), but the Cardinals then followed with another 13-0 run over the course of the next 2:24.  AU looked to chip into the large deficit with a 6-0 run, but was quickly quelled by the Cardinal defense.
 
Finally, Fisher went on its last run of the night, 16-2, with 8:53 to go in the game.  The run lasted 3:40 and was ended by two made free throws by Harrison.  By the time the final whistle sounded the scoreboard read, 89-45.
 
Cleary and Harrison led the Saxons with 13 points apiece while freshman guard McKaylee Croll (Perry, NY/Perry) added six points and three assists.
 
The Saxons (4-11, E8 1-6) look to rebound on the road Fri., January 23^rd at Ithaca College.