UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's basketball team outscored Alfred University 32-20 in the second half to come away with its first Empire 8 Conference win of the season, 69-55, Tuesday afternoon.
 
After falling down 24-16 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, UC outscored the Saxons 21-8 over the next eight minutes to head into the locker room with a 37-35 lead at the half.
 
Junior Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) led UC with a season-high 25 points.  Babb also recorded a career-best seven steals, to go along with seven assists and seven rebounds.  Classmate Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) totaled 16 points for the Pioneers, marking her third straight game with more than ten points.
 
Senior Calypso Carty (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) and sophomore Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip) each totaled eight points, while Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead), Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah), Marissa Woods (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley), and Maggie Tabone (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) also recorded points.  Tabone also led Utica with nine rebounds, including eight off the defensive glass. 
 
Alfred was led by Amanda Off, who had a double-double with 29 points and 13 rebounds on the day.  Bri Hicks added 10 points and five boards for the Saxons, who fall to 2-11 (0-4 Empire 8).  
 
Utica (3-9, 1-2 Empire 8) will look to carry its momentum into a pair of road games to finish the week.  First the Pioneers take on Nazareth College on Thursday at 6 p.m. and UC will cap off the week on Saturday at Elmira for a 2 p.m. tip off.