Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team hosted Wells College on Saturday for some afternoon hoops action. The Pioneers cruised to a 63-49 victory, improving to 2-0 early on in the season.
UC's defense controlled the pace of the game in the first half. The team held an 8-2 lead, halfway through the opening quarter as Wells shot just 1-for-8 from the field to start the day. At the end of the first quarter, the Pioneers led by a score of 14-7. Utica turned it on in the second period of play, going on a 19-2 run in the span of 7:12. It all started on the defensive end as UC forced 10 turnovers in the second quarter, and entered halftime with a 37-15 lead.
The Pioneers opened up the second half with a 6-2 run, claiming their largest lead of the day at 26 points. Wells College outscored Utica 15-6 in the last seven minutes of the third quarter, but the home team still held a 49-32 lead going into the fourth.
Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) scored seven straight points in just 1:32, to put the finishing touches on the win. Utica starts the season at 2-0, for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) had a career night, recording the double-double on career-highs of 20 points (9-for-14 FG) and 12 rebounds.
Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) added 10 points, four rebounds, and a game-high three steals.
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) tallied nine points and six assists, while
Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) contributed seven points, four assists, and four rebounds off the bench.
Wells College was led by Shelby Medovich's 16 points and eight rebounds, as she shot 4-for-6 from 3-point territory. Julia Smith scored eight points, while Kamarie Maturine added six points and seven boards of her own.
For the second consecutive game, the Pioneer defense held their opponent's field goal percentage below 40%. The team's pressure defense completely controlled the first half, as Wells went into halftime with more turnovers (16) than total points (15). Utica finished the game with 28 points off of 28 Wells turnovers.
The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday, as they hit the road to face-off against Oneonta. The first away contest of the season is set to begin at 6 p.m.
