Utica 63, Hartwick 52 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (2/8/2011) – Senior forward Jessica Berry (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) became the second player in program history to collect 1,000 rebounds in a career as the Utica College women's basketball team defeated visiting Hartwick College 63-52 in an Empire 8 Conference contest Tuesday night. Berry now has 1,008 career rebounds. She needs just 42 points to become the 11th player in the history of the NCAA Division III women's basketball to score over 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.

With the win the Pioneers improved to 11-9 overall and more important they advanced to 7-4 in conference play. Hartwick has now lost three of its last four games and dropped to 7-12 overall and 4-7 in the E8.

Hartwick led for the majority of the first half and held a commanding seven point lead, 16-9, with 8:05 to go before the half. The Pioneers answered with a 14-3 run before the half to earn a four point advantage with 1:14 to go. The Hawks were able to convert on a lay up before the half and the score was cut to 23-21 as the buzzer sounded. Both teams shot exactly 39.1 percent from the floor (9-of-23) in the low scoring first half.

UC slowly pulled away in the second half to earn the 11 point victory. The Pioneers held a two point advantage with 3:38 to go in the contest but the Pioneers converted on 14 free throws and held Hartwick to just five points in the final 3:13 of play to seal the victory.

Berry finished the day with a game-high 15 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore forward Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) added 14 points and ten rebounds. Senior guard Stephanie Nara (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) caught fire from 3-point land and  scored a season-high 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor. Junior point guard Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) and freshman guard Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) each netted eight points, while senior guard Devon Croll (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) added six points and dished out a game-high seven assists.

Kate Purcell and Maria Foglia led the way for the Hawks with ten points a piece. Lee Arduini came off the bench and scored a team-high 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Hartwick shot a dismal 31.1 percent from the floor on the evening. 

The Pioneers will return to the hardwood on Friday night when they travel to Alfred University to take on the Saxons in a conference contest at 6 p.m.

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