Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team lost to Sage at home on Tuesday, with the final score reading 72-65. UC's record drops to 6-8 overall and 2-3 against Empire 8 opponents.
 
Sage began the game strong, taking a 10-2 lead with 4:39 on the clock in the first quarter. Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop)'s defense would spark a 9-4 run for the Pioneers, as they cut the deficit to just three points with less than two minutes left in the first. Sage would close out the period with two big shots, to hold a 19-11 lead at the end of one. A 10-1 run in the second quarter by Utica made it a 23-21 game, advantage Sage, with 6:22 left until halftime. A three-point play, followed by a 3-point basket would help the Gators secure a six-point lead at the half.
 
Early on in the third, a quick 7-0 run in just 48 seconds allowed the Pioneers to take a 35-34 lead with the clock reading 7:59. The team's went back and forth throughout the remainder of the third quarter, as Sage held a one-point lead with just two minutes left before the fourth quarter. UC executed a well-designed play on offense, as Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) drilled a 3-point shot in the closing seconds of the period, to take a one-point lead heading into the final period of play. Babb would make two clutch free throws in crunch time, as Sage led 63-62 with just 1:44 left in the game. The Gators made some big shots and hit their free throws in the final minute, holding on for the seven-point win.
 
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) led the way for UC, finishing with 18 points and a career-high nine steals in the contest. Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) tallied 16 points, while Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) poured in 11 of her own. Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) recorded 10 points and seven rebounds, shooting 5-for-9 from the field.
 
The Gators were led by Emily Parslow, as she finished the game with 24 points and seven assists. Megan Flynn notched a double-double, on 11 points and 11 boards in the win. Genevieve Schoff came up just shy of a double-double, tallying 10 points and nine rebounds. Sage improves to 10-3 overall and 4-0 in Empire 8 competition this season.
 
The Pioneers hit the road for Friday's matchup against Houghton College. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 8 p.m.