ELMIRA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team outscored host Elmira College 47-32 in the second half on its way to a 69-63 come from behind victory in Empire 8 Conference action on Friday night.  Freshman Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip) netted a career-high 18 points to pace the Pioneers. Sophomore Ashely Mayo and senior Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) each added 13 points, while sophomore Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) netted 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to record her third career double-double.

The Pioneers improved to 8-12 overall and 3-8 in the Empire 8 while Elmira dropped to 6-14 overall and 3-8 in the conference. Utica returns to action on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Houghton College to take on the Highlanders at 4 p.m.

Elmira was led by 18 points and 12 rebounds from Danielle Cleary, while Lindsey Heaton added 16 points and seven assists.

Elmira jumped out to a 17-10 lead by the end of the first quarter to take a seven point advantage into the first intermission. Elmira extended its lead to 31-21 with 1:05 left in the second quarter after Cleary made a 3-pointer to give the Soaring Eagles their first 10 point lead of the contest. 

The Pioneers trailed by 10, 36-26, with 7:09 to go in the third quarter until going on a 19-6 run in the remainder of the quarter to take a three point lead, 45-42, into the fourth.
Utica then opened the fourth quarter on a 12-4 run to take a 57-46 lead with 6:12 left in the contest. Elmira was able to cut its deficit down to four points on two occasions down the stretch, but the Pioneers held on for the six point victory. 

UC scored 19 points off of Elmira turnovers and the Pioneers bench also outscored the Elmira bench 18-9 on the day.  All 18 of the Pioneers' bench points came from Hunter.
Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) added eight points for Utica, while Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) chipped in with six points and four rebounds. UC shot 50% from the floor in the second half to earn the win.