The Utica College women's basketball team led for the entire first half but they could only convert on six field goals in the second half and host RPI outscored UC 42-24 in the final 20 minutes to earn a 69-54 victory in non conference play Thursday night. Junior Devon Croll netted a game-high 21 points, while Jessica Berry added 19 points and snagged eight rebounds in the Pioneers second loss of the season.

UC trailed only twice in the first half and held the lead for 16:19 out of the first 20 minutes of play. UC was able to extend its lead to as many as 11 points, 26-15, with 6:55 to go in the first half after a 10-1 run over the course of 3:17. RPI answered right back with a 12-6 run to close out the first half and UC led by three, 30-27, after 20 minutes of play.

The second half featured three ties in the first 4:31 of play but the Engineers used a 26-9 run in the next 11:19 of play to take a commanding 17 point lead, 63-46, with 4:10 to go in the game.

50 of the Engineers 69 points came in the paint and RPI's bench outscored UC's bench 26-9 on the evening.

UC returns to action Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Oneonta State to take on the Red Dragons in non conference play at 2 p.m.

                          --- www.ucpioneers.com ---