Box Score Ithaca 46, Utica 40 -
Box Score
UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball rallied from a seven point deficit to tie the game at 40-40 with less than three minutes to play, but visiting Ithaca College outscored UC 6-0 in the final 2:35 of action to earn a 46-40 victory in Empire 8 Conference play Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers wrapped up their 2011-12 campaign with a 10-15 overall record, including a 5-9 mark in the E8. The Pioneers, who said goodbye to seniors
Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) and
Justine Karst (Olean, NY/Hinsdale), missed out on the conference's post season tournament for the first time since 2004.
McGee wrapped up her collegiate career with a team-high 17 points, while Karst added a game-high 14 rebounds. Ithaca (21-4, 13-1 E8) clinched the Empire 8 Conference regular season title and the right to host the conference tournament next weekend. The Bombers had three different players score in double figures including Jessica Farley (16), Jenn Escobido (10) and Kathryn Campbell (10).
The Pioneers led by as many as six, 20-14, with 2:50 left in the first half of play before Escobido took the Bombers on her shoulders and netted six straight points to knot the score at 20-20 at the half.
Utica led by four points, 31-27, after
Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) knocked down a 3-pointer at the 14:08 mark of the second half. The visitors answered with a 13-5 run in a span of 7:19 midway through the second half to take a 40-33 lead with 6:41 to go in regulation.
The Pioneers would not go down easy as McGee drilled two 3-pointers and Karst hit a free throw to tie the score at 40-40 with 2:54 remaining. Unfortunately UC was unable to convert on a basket down the stretch as the Bombers earned the six point victory.
Filkins finished the day with eight points, while
Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) poured in seven for the Pioneers. Fiore also added 11 rebounds.
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