UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team lost to visiting Ithaca College 67-55 in Empire 8 Conference action on the hardwood at the Clark Athletic Center on Friday night.  Utica's Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) netted a team-high 18 points and also added five steals, five rebounds and three assists. 

The Pioneers (6-9, 1-5 Empire 8) turn right back around to take on conference opponent Nazareth College on Saturday at home.  The contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Ithaca improved to 9-7 overall and 5-2 in the Empire 8 as four different Bombers scored in double figures. 

Ithaca jumped out to a quick five point lead, 7-2, in the first 3:52 of the contest until the Pioneers went one a 10-5 run to knot the score at 12-12 at the 2:00 mark of the first quarter.  UC took its first lead of the contest after sophomore Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) and freshman Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip) converted on back-to-back buckets to put the Pioneers on top 19-15 with 8:51 to go in the first half of play. Ithaca outscored UC 20-7 in the final eight minutes of the first half to take a 34-26 lead into the locker room at the half.

Ithaca opened the second half on a 15-7 run to take its largest lead of the game, 48-33, with 3:05 to go in the third quarter.

The Pioneers answered with a 17-4 run in the next 7:26 of action to cut their deficit to as few as two points, 52-50 with 5:39 remaining in the contest.  Unfortunately for UC, the Bombers closed out the game on a 15-5 run of its own to earn the 12 point victory. 

Erin Ferguson led the Bombers with 18 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor.  Ali Ricchiuti added 15 points and four assists, while Jordan Beers posted 16 points.

Utica's Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) chipped in with 14 points, while Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) added 10 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the free throw line.  Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah)ed posted eight points and six rebounds, while Maggie Tabone (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) hauled in a career-best 10 rebounds. 

The Bombers scored 30 of their 67 points in the paint on the afternoon.