Utica 72, Nazareth 67 - Box Score

Rochester, N.Y. (2/19/2011) – The Utica College women's basketball team closed out its regular season schedule with a win 72-67 victory over Empire 8 Conference rival Nazareth College Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers, who will travel to top-seeded Ithaca College on next Friday night for the semi-final game of the conference tournament, improved to 15-10 overall and 11-5 in the E8. Senior forward Jessica Berry (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) and sophomore Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) combined for 44 points and 14 rebounds to pace the Pioneers.

Nazareth closed out its campaign with a 8-17 overall record, including a 4-12 mark in conference play. The Golden Flyers were led by Brittany Wilson's 28 points and eight rebound rebounds.

UC jumped out to a ten point lead over the course of the first 6:50 of the contest to take a 19-9 lead. The Pioneers then went on a 12-6 run to take a commanding 16 point lead, 31-15, with 7:35 to go in the first half of play. Nazareth managed to cut the lead to five points and the score stood at 38-27 in favor of the Pioneers at the half.

Junior point guard Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) kicked off the second half with a 3-pointer to extend UC's lead to 14 points before the home team made its run. Nazareth used a 21-7 spurt in a span of 10:34 to knot the score at 48-48 with 9:13 to go in the contest. The score tied again at 50-50 before UC made a final push for the victory. UC used a 14-5 run to take a nine point lead, 64-55, with just under three minutes to go. Naz was able to cut the Pioneer lead to three points with 1:13 to go but Fiore and McGee combined for six points down the stretch to seal the conference victory.

McGee and senior guard Devon Croll (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) each finished the day with 14 points, while freshman Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) chipped in with two of her own. Croll also added a game-high nine rebounds and four assists.

Nazareth's Katie Kollar added 14 points off the bench for Nazareth.

The Pioneers finished the day shooting 45.6 percent from the floor.

UC's semi-final game at conference regular season champion Ithaca College will begin at 6 p.m. Check www.ucpioneers.com for links to live video, audio and stats.

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