UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 56-53 loss to visiting Elmira College in Empire 8 Conference play Friday evening at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center.
 
UC drops to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in the E8, while Elmira improves to 4-10 and 1-4 in the conference.  The Pioneers look to get back on track Saturday evening as they host conference opponent, Houghton College.  Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
Three-point shooting hurt Utica as the Pioneers were 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.  UC also shot just 53 percent from the free throw line, while the Soaring Eagles sunk 12-of-20 free throws, including 70 percent in the second half. 
 
Utica trailed by as much as seven with 3:29 left, and tied it with jut 1:02 to play, before the Pioneers ran into foul trouble.  Elmira's final four points of the game came off free throws. 
 
Sophomore Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) led UC with 17 points added a team-high three assists to pace the Pioneers.  Sophomore Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) and junior Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) each finished with 11 points and the duo combined for 17 rebounds.  Carty also added a team-best three steals and two blocks.
 
Senior Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) had five points on the evening followed by Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip), Maggie Tabone (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili), and Kelcei Edmonds (Pittsburgh, PA/Shady Side Academy).  Sophomore Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) also chipped in with eight boards.