UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's basketball team looks to get back on track Saturday as it hosts Misericordia University in the Pioneers' 6^th annual Game for Brooks Miles.  Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
A GAME FOR BROOKS MILES: Saturday's game marks the sixth annual "Game For Brooks Miles" charity game… Brooks Miles Rorick, son of Greg Rorick '98 and Angela Rorick, passed away from heart complications shortly after he was born on April 1, 2008 …  Greg, a local podiatrist and Utica College Alum, and his wife Angela are cousins of UC Women's Basketball Head Coach Michele Davis … Coach Davis is the godmother to Brooks' brother, Cooper Rorick… Coach Davis and the Roricks thought of the idea for the game in August of 2012… Each year the Pioneers pick a deserving local group or family to benefit from the game… This year, UC will be holding a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and collecting donations to benefit the Gram Lorraine Children's Program, which provides children in the Mohawk Valley with four items of clothing, including a winter jacket, and a toy, book or a game during the holiday season and beyond… To date, the Pioneers have raised over $5,280 for local groups through this special game. 
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Pioneers are coming off a heartbreaking 53-52 loss to MCLA on Wednesday, allowing the Trailblazers to score the winning basketball with just 11 seconds remaining… Senior Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) led the Pioneers with 12 points and added four rebounds, while classmates Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) and Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) combined for 15 points... Freshman Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancey Memorial) totaled six points off the bench as she shot 2-for-3 from behind the arc and she also grabbed a team-high six boards.
 
HOME SWEET HOME: The Pioneers will hope to use their home court advantage to get back on track Saturday… UC won its first two home games to start the season, before dropping three straight road games… Utica has won three straight and four of its last five games at the Clark Gymnasium dating back to Feb. 2 of last year… UC has outscored its opponents 129-98 at home so far this season.
 
WELCOME BACK ALUMNI: The women's basketball team will be holding its annual alumni reunion this weekend... The past Pioneers will play in an alumni game at 11 a.m. Saturday followed by a reception in the athletic center prior to UC's game against Misericordia.
 
SENIORS LEADING THE WAY: The trio of Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet), Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop), and Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) has led UC through the first five games so far… Mayo leads the team with 10.8 points per game and she has racked up a team-high seven 3-pointers so far… Babb is second on the squad with 9.2 points per game and she leads the team with 16 assists… Tripp has a team-best 7.8 rebounds per game and she has collected a team-leading 29 defensive rebounds.
 
FRESH FACES FITTING IN: First year Pioneers Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) and Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancey Memorial) are making their presence felt so far… Florian has started all five games, while averaging 6.8 points per outing… Soriano is averaging 3.4 point per game off the bench and she holds the highest three-point percentage on the team amongst players with at least 10 three-point attempts. 
 
SCOUTING MISERICORDIA: The Cougars are 1-3 overall and they are coming off a 70-58 loss to Juniata on Wednesday… Junior Japriya Carroll leads the team with 12.3 points per game and she has shot an impressive 13-for-13 from the free throw line… Classmate Rachel Carmody is second on the squad in both points (10.8) and rebounds (8.3) per game.
 
AGAINST THE COUGARS: This will be the second meeting ever between the two teams… Last year, Misericordia came away with a 79-47 victory… Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) led the way with 14 points, while Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) was right behind her with 13 points of her own. 
 
LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers return to action next Saturday as they travel to crosstown rival, SUNY Poly… Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.