Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team opened its season on Wednesday at home, against SUNY Potsdam. The Pioneers defended their home court and came away with the 66-49 victory, to become 1-0 to start the year.
 
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) made a 3-point shot in the opening minute of the contest for the first basket of the season for UC. In a span of 3:12, the Pioneers went on an 8-2 run to help earn a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Utica kept its foot on the accelerator in the second, increasing its lead to as much as 16 points. A pair of Potsdam 3-pointers kept the game from getting out of hand, as the Bears trailed UC, 32-21, at the half.
 
The Pioneers kept control of the game throughout the third quarter, as they held a double-digit lead the entire period. In the final minute of the third, Babb sank two free throws to put UC up by 20-points, claiming the team's largest lead of the contest. The game was never in doubt during the final period of play, as Utica cruised to the win on opening night.
 
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) led the way for UC, recording game-high marks of 17 points and seven rebounds. Fellow guard Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) finished with 12 points and four rebounds in the contest. Mayo shot 4-for-7 from the field and was a perfect 2-for-2 from behind the 3-point arc. Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) added 11 points of her own to go with five rebounds and three steals.
 
Potsdam was led by Riley Luckie's 11 points and five assists in the game. Drew Dufrane tallied eight points and five steals for the Bears. Mikayla Horton was the leading rebounder for the visiting team, recording totals of seven points and six boards.
 
The Pioneers controlled the tempo of the game and owned the rebounding battle. UC's aggressive play earned them 31 attempts at the free throw line, compared to Potsdam's ten. The home team crashed the boards and boxed out hard throughout the game, on its way to out-rebounding the Bears, 49-32.
 
UC is back at home again on Saturday for a non-conference meeting with Wells College. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 2 p.m.