Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team led by five points at the half, but visiting SUNY Poly outscored the Pioneers by 12 points in the second half behind a combined 59 total points from Stevie Ray and Kristaijah Jackson, as the visiting Wildcats earned a 76-69 victory on Sunday at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium.

The Pioneers have now lost two in a row and dropped to 1-2 so far this season, while SUNY Poly won its season-opener and improved to 1-0.

Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) led Utica in scoring on the day with a season-high 19 points. She also recorded five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) and Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip) both scored double-digit points as well with 13 and 15, respectively. Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) was one point shy of a double-double, as she tallied nine points and ten boards for the Pioneers.

SUNY Poly started the game off on an 8-0 run in the first two minutes of play. Utica then responded with an 11-0 run of its own to take a 15-12 lead with just over one minute left in the first quarter. The Pioneers put together 9-0 run during the second quarter as they created a 10-point lead going up 28-18. The Pioneers entered halftime with a 34-29 lead.

SUNY Poly started the second half strong as they went on a 12-0 run early in the third quarter. The teams began trading baskets towards the end of the quarter and Utica led 53-52 heading into the fourth quarter. SUNY Poly went on a 10-2 run in the fourth as they went on to outscore Utica 24-16 in the last quarter to hand the Pioneers their second loss of the season.

Stevie Ray finished with a game-high 34 points, which included seven 3-pointers, for the Wildcats. Kristaijah Jackson had a huge day for the visitors as she added 25 points and 18 rebounds.

Freshman guard Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) posted a career-high seven points and she also added five rebounds. Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) added four points and three rebounds for UC.
 
The Pioneers will be back at home after a short Thanksgiving break for their next contest on November 28^th. Utica will host local rival Hamilton College (0-2), with the tip-off time scheduled for 6 p.m.