Utica, NY (1/3/15)- The Utica College women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 80-74 double-overtime defeat at the hands of Empire 8 Conference foe Ithaca College Saturday afternoon at the Clark Athletic Center. Junior
Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) led all players with 36 points on the day.
Utica jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first 1:46 of the game and controlled the majority of the play in the first half, taking a 29-28 lead into the locker room after the first 20 minutes. UC carried its momentum into the second frame and held an 11-point lead with just 9:42 remaining in the game before the Bombers mounted a comeback.
Ithaca's Alex Gilligan netted three 3-pointers in four minutes to help pull the Bombers within 2 before a layup from leading scorer Ali Ricchiuti tied the game at 59 with 40 seconds remaining. Neither team was able to convert on its chances in the final 30 seconds, as the game went to overtime.
Miceli remained hot as she netted seven of UC's nine points in the first OT. Facing a two-point deficit, senior
Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) came up with a crucial rebound and sunk the resulting layup with just six clicks left on the clock to force another overtime period.
The visitors were able to pull away in the final five minutes and a 3-pointer by Ally Mnich with just 36 seconds remaining all but sealed the victory for Ithaca.
Miceli had an impressive outing, making 11-of-12 free throws and sinking 7-of-11 from beyond the arc, while adding eight rebounds. Freshman
Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) led the Pioneers with three steals and netted a career-high 15 points, while Stayer had a double-double on 14 points and 10 boards in the loss. Senior
Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) dished out a team-best six assists and added seven points for the UC offense.
The Pioneers drop to 4-7 on the season. UC will travel to Hoboken, NJ on Tuesday to face E8 opponent Stevens Institute of Technology. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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