UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team led by as many as eight points, 46-38, with 2:48 to go in the third quarter but visiting St. John Fisher College outscored the Pioneers 34-17 in the final 12:48 of the contest to earn a 72-63 victory in Empire 8 Conference action on Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic Center.  Senior Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) led the Pioneers with 22 points, while Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) chipped in with 12 points, four steals and four rebounds.

Throughout the afternoon the Pioneers participated in the 2016 Play 4Kay initiative, which is an opportunity for a nation of coaches and players to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. Utica wore pink uniforms and hosted a 50/50 raffle and bake sale to raise funds, which will benefit breast cancer awareness. The Pioneers have hosted this event since 2009, and to date have raised over $2,400 for the cause.

Utica's record moved to 8-14 overall and 3-10 in conference play. The Pioneers return home for senior day on Saturday when they host Stevens Institute of Technology for a conference tilt at 4 p.m. Fisher has now won four in a row and improved to 18-3 overall (11-1 Empire 8).

The first quarter alone saw four lead changes, with the Pioneers making the final push of the first ten minutes to take an 18-15 lead at the first intermission.  The second quarter was no different as the lead changed hands three times, but the Cardinals had the last run of the first half and took a 30-27 lead into the locker room at the half. 

With the score knotted at 34-34 in the third quarter, the Pioneers went on a 12-4 run in a span of 3:16 to take their largest lead of the game, 46-38, with 2:48 remaining in the quarter. Fisher began its late charge in the closing minutes of the third and cut their deficit to four points, 50-46, headed into the fourth and final quarter.

The Cardinals outscored the Pioneers 26-13 in the final 10 minutes of action to earn the nine point victory.

Nine different players scored for the Cardinals including Claire Walsh, who totaled 14 points and grabbed four rebounds.  Emily Piacentini chipped in with 12 points and McKenzie Bezon added 10. 

Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) added 11 points, five rebounds and four steals for the Pioneers, while Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) chipped in with 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds.  

The lead changed hands 11 times and the score was tied on 10 different occasions throughout the contest, including twice in the fourth quarter. Utica scored 24 points off of 25 Fisher turnovers on the afternoon, but the Fisher bench proved to be deep as it outscored the Pioneers' bench 22-1. 

Utica's 23 free throws made and 15 steals are the second most for the team in a single game so far this season.