Utica 72, Alfred 68 - Box Score

Alfred, N.Y. (7/11/2011) – The Utica College women's basketball team battled back from a seven point second half deficit to earn a slim 72-68 victory over host Alfred University Friday night. Senior forward Jessica Berry (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), who scored a game-high 26 points, went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to help the Pioneers secure the comeback. Berry now needs 16 points to become the 11th player in the history of NCAA Division III women's basketball to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career.

The Pioneers (12-9, 8-4 E8) trailed by seven, 58-51, with 6:39 to go in the contest and used a 14-5 run in a span of 4:43 to take a two point lead, 65-63, with just under two minutes to go in regulation. UC made 7-of-8 free throws and Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) converted on a lay up to seal the victory for UC. The contest featured six ties and ten lead changes.

Alfred (9-13, 4-9 E8) was led by Lyndsay Murphy's 24 points and five rebounds. Courtney Lincoln added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Saxons.

UC jumped out to a five point lead, 16-11, 6:31 into the first half until the Saxons answered with a 13-1 run to take a seven point lead with less than nine minutes to go in the half. UC came right back with a 10-2 run to take a one point lead, 27-26, with 5:19 to go in the first half.

The lead changed hands three more times before the half and Alfred earned a three point advantage as the first half buzzer sounded.

Sophomore forward Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) netted 20 points and grabbed six points for the Pioneers, while junior point guard Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) scored ten points. Senior Devon Croll (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) and freshman Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) combined for ten points, while Stephanie Nara (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) netted six points off the bench for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers remain on the road Saturday afternoon when they travel to St. John Fisher College for an Empire 8 Conference contest at 2 p.m.

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