BROOKLYN – Despite double-doubles from Idalia Kaplan, Amissa Epperson, and Anna Bryce, Pratt Institute women's basketball (4-9) could not overcome a second half deficit, falling to the Pioneers of Alfred State College, 62-52, Monday afternoon at the ARC.
Bryce finished with a career-high 27 points on 7-of-18 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds. Epperson tallied 11 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks, while Kaplan chipped in 10 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
The Pioneers were led by Catherine Bialecki, who had 19 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks.
With Pratt trailing 8-1, Idalia Kaplan's layup started a run that saw the Cannoneers reel off 11 straight points – including five straight from Bryce – to take the lead after the first quarter. In the second, untimely turnovers and ineffective shooting from Pratt helped the Pioneers erase their early deficit to regain the lead, 22-17, at the half.
The Cannoneers' offensive woes spilled into the third quarter, as Alfred State capitalized off the miscues to build a 17-point cushion, 43-26, heading into the game's final 10 minutes. A Kathy Neblett layup, followed by six successful free throws, allowed Pratt to chip away at Alfred State's lead. Bryce's 3-point play with just over four minutes remaining got the Cannoneers back within striking distance. However, Bialecki would score nine of her team-high 19 points in the final minutes, as Alfred State came away with the ten-point victory, 62-52.
UP NEXT – The Cannoneers return to conference play when they welcome the Warriors of Vaughn College to the ARC on Thursday, January 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00pm.
