Box Score Utica 61, Nazareth 55 - Box Score

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Utica College women's basketball team shot 25-of-28 from the charity stripe, including 8-of-8 in the final 90 seconds, to help the Pioneers defeat host Nazareth College 61-55 in Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday afternoon. Utica senior point guard Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) was 12-of-12 from the free throw line and led all scorers with 20 points, while Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) and Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) each added 11 points to pace the Pioneers. 

Following a three-point basket by senior Katie Kollar, the Golden Flyers trimmed their deficit to four points, 59-55, with about 30 seconds to play in regulation, but Nazareth missed its final two three-point attempts as the Pioneers snapped a four game losing streak. 

Utica improved to 8-14 overall and 3-8 in the Empire 8 Conference. After the loss, the Golden Flyers dropped to 11-10 overall and 4-7 in conference contests. Nazareth slid two games behind fourth-place Stevens in the conference standings. The top four teams qualify for the conference tournament. Stevens is 6-5 in E8 games after knocking off Alfred on Saturday.

Nazareth led 29-20 with two minutes remaining in the first half following two free throws by senior Erica Shaw. The Golden Flyers built their initial lead with consistent baskets by senior Brittany Patenaude. Patenaude tallied 16 of Nazareth's first 24 points, all within the initial 13:25 of the first period. Patenaude was 5-of-6 from the field, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc during her scoring run. After Patenaude hit her third three of the half, Kollar connected on a three-point attempt, and Shaw followed with her free throws to give Nazareth its largest lead of the contest.

Utica scored the final four points of the half to cut the Pioneers' deficit to 29-24 at the break. UC opened the second half with the first five points in a span of 1:46 to tie the game at 29 points apiece. The Pioneers pulled away midway through the period after holding Nazareth's offense scoreless for six straight  minutes. Utica, meanwhile, scored seven points to stretch a 35-34 lead into a 42-34 advantage.

The Golden Flyers closed their deficit to within four points twice in the final five minutes of the contest. Shaw cut Utica's lead to four points with about five minutes to play in regulation after connecting on two jumpers sandwiched around a basket by senior Brittany Wilson. In the final minute of regulation, three three-point baskets by Nazareth's offense in a span of just 29 seconds also cut the Pioneers' lead to four points. Utica's proficiency at the free throw line stymied Nazareth's last minute rally. The Pioneers finished with a plus-20 advantage from the free throw line.

Kollar finished with 20 points to lead Nazareth's offense. After her torrid start to the game, Utica held Patenaude scoreless in the second half, and she finished with 16 points.

Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) and Brittany Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech) each collected eight rebounds to help the Pioneers finish with a 39-28 advantage on the glass.                                                     

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