The Utica College women's basketball team (7-2) defeated visiting Union College (1-6) in non conference play on the hardwood at the Clark Athletic Center Tuesday night. The Pioneers led for the majority of the contest and held the Dutchwomen to just 13 points in the second half as they cruised to a 20 point victory. Junior forward Jessica Berry (Rome, N.Y.) led all scorers with 25 points and nine rebounds, while junior guard Stephanie Nara (Frederick, Md.) added 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from behind the arc. The UC defense caused 22 turnovers, which led to 31 points, and the Pioneers held Union to below 30% shooting from the floor.
The Pioneers have won four of their last five games and improved to 7-2 this year, marking their best start since 2006-07. Union has lost three games in a row and dropped to 1-6 on the year. Both teams will now take a few weeks off for semester break before returning to action in January.
The Pioneers took a nine point lead, 21-12, at the 11:08 mark of the first half after Nara connected on her second 3-pointer of the evening. Union answered with a 15-8 run to cut the Utica lead to just one point, 28-27, with 2:15 remaining in the first half of play. Utica responded with a 6-0 run to close out the half with a seven point lead, 34-27.
The second half was dominated by Utica. The Dutchwomen were held scoreless for the first 3:42 of the second half and the Pioneers outscored Union 19-7 over the course of the first 10:24 in the second half as they ran up a 19 point lead, 53-34, with 9:36 to go in the game. The Dutchwomen were able to cut the lead to as few as 17 with less than three minutes to go in the contest but that was as close as they would get as Utica ran away with the non conference victory.
Reigning Liberty League Player of the Week Lauren McCormick (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) had another stellar night, netting 14 points. She also grabbed 12 rebounds. Shayla Madden (Colonie, N.Y.) added nine points off the bench for Union.
The Pioneers starting five compiled 58 of the teams 60 points. Justin Karst (Olean, N.Y.) tallied nine point Devon Croll (Vernon, N.Y.) added eight to pace Utica.
Utica returns to the hardwood on Jan. 5th when they host Empire 8 Conference rival Stevens Institute of Technology at 6 p.m. Union returns to action on Jan. 2nd at the William Patterson Residence Inn Winter Classic when they take on William Patterson in Wayne N.J. The contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
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