The Utica College women's basketball team won its fifth straight contest after a 61-45 victory over host Elmira College Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers, who have won 10 of their last 11 games, shot 75% (6-for-8) from 3-point land in the convincing victory. Junior guard Stephanie Nara led the way for the Pioneers with 14 points and five rebounds. UC held Elmira to just 19 first half points and they also caused 24 turnovers in the course of 40 minutes. Junior forward Jessica Berry netted 13 points on the day for Utica.

The Pioneers improved to 15-3 overall and 8-1 in conference play. They currently sit in second place in the conference standings behind Ithaca College. UC's lone conference loss of the year came at the hands of the Bombers on January 12.

The Pioneers were held scoreless for the first 2:28 of the contest until Berry sparked an 11-0 run with six of the Pioneers first nine points. The Pioneers managed to extend that lead to as many as 12 points after a Danielle Busansky 3-pointer and a Katie McGee layup gave the visitors a 26-14 advantage with 4:39 to go in the first half. McGee would close out the evening with 11 points and a game-high seven assists.

Utica's lead extended to as many as 16 points, 49-33, midway through the second half following consecutive 3-point buckets by Nara and senior Danielle Moore. Elmira cut the lead to nine points with 3:45 to go in the game but the Pioneers answered with a 10-0 run in the final three minutes to seal the victory.

Freshman forward Meaghan Fiore registered ten points and three steals for Utica.

The Soaring Eagles had two players score in double figures including Amanda Lawlor (11) and Becca Fretz (10).

The Pioneers return to action on Friday when they travel to Hoboken , N.J. to take on Stevens Institute of Technology in Empire 8 Conference play at 6 p.m.

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