UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's basketball team dropped its Empire 8 Conference opener to defending conference champion Stevens Institute of Technology, 71-53, Tuesday evening at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center. 
 
The Ducks held a huge advantage over Utica in rebounds with 56, including 18 off the offensive glass, while the Pioneers totaled just 36 rebounds.  Stevens was also 5-for-12 on three pointers in the first half to take a 39-23 lead into halftime. 
 
Junior Ashley Mayo (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) led Utica with 13 points, including 2-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, and sinking 5-of-6 free throws.  She also added a team-best six assists on the night.  Mayo joins classmate Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) as the only active players with over 500 career points.
 
Babb finished the night with seven points and a team-high six rebounds, while junior Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) had eight points and four boards.  Rachel Hunter (West Islip, NY/West Islip), Marissa Woods (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley), and Coralynn Maxwell (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) each netted six points on the evening, with Maxwell adding a career-high six steals.
 
Stevens was led by Kaitlyn Astel, who tallied 23 points, and Megan Brown, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Pioneers look to rebound Thursday as they host Hartwick College.  Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.