ONEONTA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team rallied in the second half, but a slow start for the Pioneers ended in a 65-52 loss at Oneonta on Tuesday night.  The Pioneers outscored the Red Dragons 36-32 in the second half, but their 17 point halftime deficit proved to be too much to overcome in the loss.

Utica's record fell to 1-1 overall on the year as the Pioneers return home on Thursday night to take on RPI in non-conference action on the hardwood at the Clark Athlete Center (6 p.m.). Live video, audio and stats will be provided for the contest and the game will be broadcast live over the radio airwaves on ESPN 99.1 FM and WPNR 90.7 FM. 

Three different Pioneers scored in double figures including senior Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle), who led the way with 16 points (4-of-8 from 3-point).  Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) added 14 points for Utica while point guard Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) chipped in with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. 

Lyteshia Price dominated play for the Red Dragons, netting a game-high 31 points to go along with ten rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Oneonta led from start to finish thanks to Price who hit her first three shots she took, all from behind the arc, to give the Red Dragons a 9-2 lead out of the gates.  Price connected on 11-of-18 from the floor including 6-of-8 from long distance.

The Red Dragons held a 19-12 lead at the end of the first quarter and then outscored the Pioneers, 14-4, in the second quarter to build a 33-16 lead at halftime. 

Utica got as close as nine points midway through the third quarter on a basket by junior Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West), but that would be as close as the Pioneers would get. 

Oneonta shot 40.0% from the floor on the day compared to the Pioneers' 29.2%.

Utica's Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah), Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) and Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) combined for 11 points for UC, while sophomore Maggie Tabone (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) and freshman Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip) combined for eight rebounds.