The Utica College women's basketball team improved to 13-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play after a 49-40 victory over visiting Alfred University Sunday afternoon. The Pioneer defense held the Saxons to 20 points in each half and caused 19 turnovers. Sophomore guard Katie McGee led the way for Utica with 17 points, three assists and three steals.

Utica has won three in a row and eight of its last nine games. The Saxons overall record dropped to 7-9 including a 1-6 ledger in the Empire 8.

The Pioneers extended their first half lead to as many as seven points, 12-5, after a 5-0 run over the course of 2:32 midway through the half. Alfred answered immediately with a 10-3 run to knot the score at 15-15 with 6:57 to go in the half. UC responded with an 8-0 run behind two 3-pointers from McGee. The Saxons managed to keep the game tight by closing the gap to three points, 23-20, at the half.

Alfred opened the second half with a 6-0 run to take a three point lead just over three minutes into the half. The Pioneer defense turned it on from that point and held the Saxons to just four points in the next 10:18 of play en route to extending their lead to seven, 37-30, with 8:06 to go in the game.

The Pioneers lead would dwindle to three with 5:41 to go but they were able to answer back and eventually earn the nine point victory.

Junior forward Jessica Berry was held to just eight points and she also grabbed nine rebounds. Freshman Meghan Fiore added seven points and three rebounds off the bench.

Lyndsay Murphy paved the way for Alfred with a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds. Courtney Lincoln registered eight points and snagged four rebounds.

Utica returns to action on Friday when they host RIT in a conference game at 6 p.m.

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