Mary Culeton
Trailing at intermission, the Fredonia State women's basketball team used another strong finish outscoring Alfred by 21 points in the second half to down the Saxons, 71-54, and improve to 6-1, on Dec. 5.
Mary Culeton scored a season high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Renee Park had 15 points and six rebounds. The Dynamic Duo combined for nine three pointers, Culeton going 4-8 and Park hitting 5-7. The Devils connected for 14 as a team.
The Saxons would lead 17-13 after the first quarter. The Devils had their offensive opportunities, but were slowed by 6-20 shooting. The Saxons went 6-16 and hit three treys compared to one by the Devils.
Midway through the second quarter, Fredonia State took the lead, 25-23, following a three by Park. The Saxons then converted a very rare five-point play. A foul on a three-point attempt combined with a technical resulted in five made free throws by Felicia Stewart. Stewart made another pair of free throws on the next possession as the Saxons went up 30-25. Stewart would finish the half with 13 points, including 8-9 from the line, as Alfred built a 34-30 lead.
Park had nine for the Devils at the break, connecting on 3-4 three pointers.
Midway through the third quarter, the Devils used a bucket by Allie Wandell, then threes from Sarah Seaman and two more from Culeton to go up 49-43. Three free throws followed as the Devils extended the lead 52-43 with a 14-0 run. The Saxons scored the last five of the third, ending the frame with Fredonia State nursing a 52-48 lead.
The Saxons closed within four points, 55-51, with seven minutes left to play. Culeton scored the next five, followed by a Kyla Smith three, and a basket by Jaden Sciotti to go up 14 points, 65-51. Park nailed her fifth three of the game to put the Devils in command for good. They opened the fourth on a 19-3 run.
Caitlin Snyder had nine rebounds for Fredonia State, and Wandell had seven rebounds and four assists. Smith added a team-high seven assists to go along with eight points.
Leah Harkenrider led Alfred (3-4) with 17 points, and Stewart was held scoreless in the second half, finishing with 13.
