BOX SCORE
Utica, N.Y. (11/30/10) - The Utica College women's basketball team lost 58-50 to local rival Hamilton College in a non-conference contest at the Clark Athletic Center Tuesday night. With the loss the Pioneers, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA's last season, have now dropped two of their last three games and fell to 3-2 overall. The Continentals are off to an excellent start and remain undefeated at 5-0.
The visitors made 12 second half free throws and shot 50% (8-of-16) from the floor to pull away. Eliza Howe netted 16 of her 18 total points in the second half to account for more than 50% of the Continental scoring in the final 20 minutes.
Senior
Jessica Berry (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) led UC with 24 points, 13 rebounds and five steals, while the visitors were led by Howe, who finished with 18 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Utica came out early and held the lead for most of the first half. However, Hamilton made a run with less than five minutes remaining and tied the game 28-28 going into halftime.
In the second half, UC trailed most of way and was outscored 30-22. The Pioneers shot a dismal 28.1% (9-of-32) in the second half and connected on just 4-of-11 free throws in the final 20 minutes as the Continentals went on to win by eight.
Sophomore forward
Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) tallied nine points in 31 minutes played in her first start of the season for Utica, while
Devon Croll (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill),
Stephanie Nara (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) and
Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) combined for 13 points. Nara added six rebounds and five assists and McGee pulled down eight rebounds.
Sophomore Madie Harlem added 11 points to go along with 13 rebounds and seven assists for Hamilton and Claire Hunsinger added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Blue Sanders totaled seven points and four rebounds.
The Pioneers return to the hardwood Thursday as they host SUNYIT in another local non-conference contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Wildcats are currently 2-0 overall including a 1-0 record in the NEAC.
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