UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team rallied from a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat visiting Morrisville 60-58 on Faculty Appreciation Night at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium Thursday.  Senior guard Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) led the Pioneers with 20 points and five rebounds while Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) added 13 points, seven rebounds and five steals off the bench.

The Pioneers trailed 51-35 with 8:34 to go in regulation before rattling off a 20-3 run in the next 7:37 to take their first lead since the 4:28 marker of the second quarter.  UC outscored the Mustangs 25-14 in the final 10 minutes of action to earn the two point victory. 

Utica scored 24 points off of 25 Mustang turnovers on the afternoon and also got 24 total points from their bench play compared to Morrisville's seven points from non-starters. 

Morrisville used a 23-13 run in the final 14:24 of the first half to take a 30-25 lead into the locker room at the half. 

The Mustangs were led by 18 points and five assists from point guard Jordan Anderson, while Caitlynn Adams added nine points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Utica's Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) chipped in with nine points while Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) added six points and three steals.

The lead changed three times in the contest and the score was tied on two occasions.  Utica's largest lead of the game was five points with 7:09 to go in the 1^st quarter. 

At halftime of Thursday night's contest each student-athlete welcomed a Utica College faculty member to center court to be honored for their contributions to the student-athlete experience. The professor's gathered on the court and their names were announced, alongside a brief paragraph about why the student-athlete submitted the nomination.  

The Pioneers return to the hardwood in 21 days when they host Union College at 4 p.m. at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium.