UTICA, NY- Union College outscored the Utica College women's basketball team 39-17 in the second half to hand the Pioneers their first home loss of the season, 61-53, on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pioneers (4-5) look to bounce back Tuesday as they host St. John Fisher College in the 2017-18 Empire 8 Conference opener.  Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
Utica controlled the majority of the play in the first half, thanks in part to 12 points by junior Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain), and the Pioneers took a 36-22 lead into the locker room at halftime. 
 
Union chipped away at the Utica lead in the final 20 minutes of play and the Dutchwomen were aided by missed opportunities by the home team.  As a team, Utica shot just 23 percent from the field in the second half.  Union was led by Jenni Barra, who scored 21 of her 29 points in the second half. 
 
Florian finished with 14 points for Utica, while senior Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) netted a team-high 16 points.  Freshman Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) totaled eight points and collected a team-high five steals and Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) chipped in with six points and four assists.  Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) and Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) also recorded points for the Pioneers, who suffered their first loss at home since Feb. 14 of last year.