FREDONIA, N.Y. -- A pair of three pointers in the final 40 seconds pulled the Fredonia State women's basketball team to within two points. After a pair of missed free throws by Oneonta, the Devils regained possession to put them into position to tie or win with another three, but they could not convert, falling 50-48 vs. the Red Dragons on Tuesday.

Trailing 50-42, Mary Culeton nailed a three, followed by an Oneonta turnover. Grace Alexander connected on a three pointer on the next possession. The Devils then got the ball back after a pair of missed free throws, but failed to convert a pair of shots as time expired.

Alexander scored a game-high 24 points. None of the seven other Blue Devils that scored had more than five points in the deliberate, slow-paced game. Oneonta was led by Jenna Haclerode with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Molly Stephens had 14 points. 

The first half was tightly contested, with the Devils taking a 30-26 lead into the intermission. The end of the third saw the two teams deadlocked at 37. 

Oneonta opened the fourth with the first nine points, forcing the Devils to play catch-up the rest of the quarter.

The Devils had won their previous two SUNYAC games, before the two-point loss. The Devils have improved their play the past few weeks, and are challenging for a post-season berth with four conference contests remaining. They stand at 5-9 in the SUNYAC, and 10-11 overall.

Oneonta improves to 8-17 and 10-12.

The Devils are back home this weekend, playing host to Potsdam and Plattsburgh in Dods Hall as part of women's/men's doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.