ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women’s basketball team dropped a 59-51 decision to visiting Elmira College in Empire 8 Conference action Tuesday evening at the McLane Center.

Alfred (5-4, 0-2 Empire 8) led by a point at halftime, 25-24, and exchanged leadswith the visitors throughout the second half before Elmira went ahead for good with 4:23 remaining. The Soaring Eagles outscored the Saxons 12-6 over the final four minutes to improve to 6-4 (2-1 Empire 8).

Neither team shot well, with Alfred making 30 percent of its shots and Elmira 36 percent. The visitors held a 53-43 rebounding advantage and used 48 percent second-half shooting to pull out the victory.

Junior forward Alysha Dias (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia) paced the Lady Saxons with a double-double, recording 11 points and 13 rebounds. Senior guard Melanie Jackson (Andover, NY/Wellsville) had points and five rebounds, while sophomore point guard Lyndsay Murphy (Almond, NY/Hornell) scored 14.

Mary Symonds had 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds to lead Elmira. Teammates Marcia Coakley (15 points) and Becca Fretz (10 points, six boards) also scored in double-figures for Elmira.

Alfred is in action next on Friday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. at Hartwick.