UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team won its fourth straight Empire 8 Conference game Saturday as it defeated Nazareth College, 64-40, at the Clark Athletic Center.  The Pioneers were led by Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) and Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) who combined for 31 points and 15 rebounds in the 24 point victory.
 
Utica evens its overall record at 8-8 while improving to 4-3 in conference play. The Pioneers return to the hardwood Tuesday when they travel to Oneonta, NY to face the Hartwick Hawks.
 
After just over four minutes of scoreless play, Naz dropped the game's first bucket, at 15:50, off a jumper from Sam Sorge to earn an early 2-0 lead. UC answered with a 21-5 run over the next 10 minutes of action to take a 21-7 lead at 8:08.  The visitors retaliated with a 13-7 strut to close out the half down just eight points, 28-20.
 
However, that would be as close as Naz would get as the Pioneers rattled off a 36-20 advantage in the second half to close out their third straight win of 20+ points in the competitive Empire 8.
 
Miceli netted 16 points and pulled down five boards while Stayer tallied a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Senior Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) worked a game-high 13 boards to go along with six points, two assists, two steals and a block in the victory.
 
Naz's Lindsey Kelly led the visitors with 16 points and eight rebounds while Sam Sorge chipped in with nine points, four assists and three grabs in the loss.
 
Nazareth falls to 8-6 overall including a 3-2 mark in Empire 8 play and is back on the court Tuesday when it hosts Elmira College (6 p.m.).