Tomcats Claim Victory Over Pioneers, advance to Alfred State Tournament Championship
ALFRED, NY – The Thiel College Tomcats women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought win against the Alfred State Pioneers, triumphing in a back-and-forth contest and earning a spot in the Alfred State Tournament Championship. The Tomcats will face Alfred University this Saturday at 4 p.m. for the tournament title.
Thiel established an early lead,fueled by a combined 24 points from standout players Lexi Youldsville and Kelsey Wagner in the first two quarters. Despite facing increased pressure in the second half, being outscored 19-16 in the third and 21-18 in the fourth, the Tomcats maintained their composure and ultimately prevailed.
Senior guard Madeline Risser led all scorers with a dominant performance, contributing a team-high 23 points, alongside nine rebounds and four assists. Wagner reached a career milestone, finishing the night with 14 points and three rebounds, while Emily Betsinger added 13 points and six rebounds to the Tomcat offense.
Rebounding proved crucial for Thiel, with Kelsey Seddon securing a team-best 10 boards. Issy Green orchestrated the offense with eight assists and four steals, also contributing nine points and nine rebounds.
The Tomcats demonstrated efficiency at the free-throw line, converting 14 of 22 attempts (63.6%), and shot 28-for-61 (45.9%) from the field overall. This victory marks a notable step for the Thiel College women’s basketball program as they compete for the Alfred State Tournament Championship against Alfred University.
