Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team lost a close game to RPI at home on Wednesday, 51-47.
Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet)'s game-high of 16 points was not enough as the Pioneers drop to 2-6 on the season.
Utica and RPI traded baskets throughout the first quarter until UC edged ahead with a 10-6 lead with two minutes remaining. The visiting team then went on a 6-0 run in the final 1:46 of the first to take a 12-10 lead going into the second quarter. The Pioneers tied the game up, 16-16, with 5:15 left in the first half. Utica went on a small 4-1 run in 1:37 to take a 20-17 with 2:59 before halftime. RPI closed the half strong on a 7-0 run in one minute, as the visitors went up 24-20 heading into the locker room. Mayo led all scorers at halftime with eight points.
The Engineers went on an 8-2 run in the first 2:13 of the third quarter to take a 32-22 lead with 7:47 left in the quarter. The Pioneers answered with a 10-0 run of their own in a span of 3:25, to tie the game up at 32-32, with just 3:10 remaining in the third. With two seconds left before the fourth,
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) hit a 3-point shot to give Utica a 37-36 lead heading into the final period. The two teams went back and forth as the game was tied at 45-45 with only 2:37 remaining in the game. RPI made six of eight free throw attempts down the stretch to clinch the four-point victory.
Mayo posted her sixth double-digit scoring performance of the season, as she led all players with 16 points to go along with six rebounds.
Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip) added 10 points for Utica and now has 25 points over the course of the last two games. Freshman
Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) posted a career-high four steals and she also added six rebounds. She now has seven steals in her last two outings.
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) posted nine points, six rebounds and three assists for the Pioneers. Utica outscored the opposition in the paint 36-24 in the game.
RPI's Ines Ortea totaled a team-best 14 points and added six rebounds to go along with three steals. Elizabeth Eckhardt tallied nine points and three steals, while Julianna O'Neill grabbed eight rebounds and scored six points. Lauren Young totaled seven points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Engineers. Shaina Iton, sister of Utica men's basketball player Ivan Iton, grabbed eight rebounds, scored four points and blocked two shots. The Engineers outrebounded Utica, 46-33 in the contest.
The Pioneers will return to action on Friday, as they travel to face Morrisville State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
