Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team faced-off against Nazareth at home on Tuesday. The Pioneers dropped to 7-12 overall and 3-7 in E8 play, as they lost to Naz by a score of 59-46.
 
Nazareth took control of the game in the first quarter, holding a 12-0 lead with 5:14 on the clock. UC struggled to find offense in the period, as the team trailed by 13 points going into the second quarter. Utica's small 6-2 run in the span of 1:44, made Nazareth's lead, 24-13, with 6:27 before halftime. Steady scoring from the Golden Flyers helped secure the team a 34-19 lead heading into the half.
 
The Pioneers turned it up a notch in the third quarter, going on an 8-0 run to cut Nazareth's lead to just seven points with the clock reading 6:50. After two minutes without a basket, Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) hit a big 3-point shot before the period ended to keep the team within eight points, heading into the fourth quarter. UC fought to stay in the game, but were not able to mount a comeback in the fourth. Nazareth walked away with a 13-point victory.
 
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) was the team's top scorer, tallying 10 points and three assists. Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) recorded nine points and five assists, while Maggie Tabone (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) snagged a team-high eight rebounds off the bench. Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) finished with eight points and five boards in the loss.
 
Nazareth was led by Samantha Peebles game-high of 23 points to go with her seven rebounds. Rachel Benedict came up just shy of a double-double, recording nine points and 10 rebounds. The Golden Flyers are now 10-9 overall and 6-4 in Empire 8 competition this season.
 
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday, for another home contest against Houghton. The game is set to tip-off at 4 p.m.