ALFRED, N.Y. -- The Thiel College Women's Basketball team defeated the Alfred State Pioneers 79-71 Friday night to open the Alfred State Tournament.  

Thiel advances to 2-1 in the regular season as the Pioneers drop to 0-2 on the year. With their second win of the year, the Tomcats have earned their first back-to-back wins since the 2021-22 season. 

The Blue and Gold went on an 8-0 and 7-0 run to eventually outscore Alfred State 45-31 in the first half to take a strong 14-point lead.  

Kayley Risser (Reynoldsville, Pa./Dubois Central Catholic) and Kelsey Wagner (Sherman, N.Y./Sherman) led the offense to score a combined 24 points to put the Tomcats up in the first two quarters.  

Despite being outscored 19-16 in the third and 21-18 in the fourth, Thiel was able to keep their heads and take the victory.

Continuing her streak, Risser had a team high of 23 points, nine boards and four assists.  

Wagner finished her night with a career high of 14 points and three rebounds, as Emily Betsinger (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) dropped 13 points and six rebounds.  

Kelsey Seddon (Cochranton, Pa./Lakeview) had a team best 10 boards as Issy Green (Slippery Rock, Pa./Portersville Christian) led with eight assists and four steals. Green grabbed nine rebounds and put up nine points.  

Thiel went 14-22 (63.6%) from the free throw line and 28-61 (45.9%) from the field.  

The Tomcats return to action this Saturday at 4 p.m. to face off against Alfred University in the Alfred State Tournament Championship.