SCHENECTADY, NY -- The Utica College women's basketball team lost to host Union College 72-40 on Tuesday afternoon.  Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) netted a team-high nine points for UC, while Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) added six points and a game-high ten rebounds. 

The Pioneers' record moved to 4-5 overall headed into their Empire 8 Conference opener at home against St. John Fisher College on Friday night at 6 p.m. The Pioneers will then host Ithaca College at 2 p.m. on Saturday. 

Jenni Barra scored a career-high 23 points and added seven rebounds to pace Union. The Dutchwomen improved to 5-2 overall on the season.  Barra's 23 was a game-high and she also had three assists and three steals. The freshman guard made nine of her 11 shot attempts. Kate Thompson had 12 points and tied her career-high with five blocks, while adding five rebounds and making six of nine shots.

Union forced 26 turnovers and shot 55% including 71% in the second half when the Dutchwomen made 17-of-24 shots.

Union jumped out to a 20-9 run in the first 7:44, and led by as many as 19 in the first half at 32-13 with 1:14 left. The Dutchwomen led 32-16 at halftime. In the second half, Union remained hot, as the Dutchwomen went on a 13-0 run in the first 4:19. Union led by as many as 37 at 64-27 with 5:07 remaining.

Utica's Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) added eight points, four rebounds and three steals, while Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) chipped in with seven points.  Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) and Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) each registered four points for the Pioneers.