UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team heads to Aurora, NY this Saturday to face Wells College in a non-conference matchup. Tip time is set for noon at Wells's Schwartz Athletic Center.

Keep Up With The Action: Live video and stats will be provided by Wells College Athletic Communications at http://www.wells-express.com

Put It On The Calendar: Utica will formally dedicate the court in the Clark Athletic Center gymnasium as the Doris and Walt Miga court at their home game on Thursday, Nov. 29 against the Massachussets College of Liberal Arts. The dedication follows an extensive gymnasium renovation project in their names this summer led by the Miga family in recognition of their service to the college and support of the basketball programs.  More info will be available here at UCPioneers.com as the event date draws closer.

Last Time Out: The Pioneers are 1-0 to start the season after winning their season opener 60-43 against SUNY Potsdam on Tuesday. Utica erased a four point halftime deficit against the Bears with a mammoth second half on their way to the win. They put on a second half defensive clinic with just 15 points allowed, and poured in 36 points on their side of the board to earn the victory. Four UC players scored more than 10 points in the game. Junior Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead), sophomore Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) and freshman Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) scored 13 points each, while senior Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) had 11. Johndrow also had a game high six assists, and Florian had a team high with eight rebounds. Utica shot nearly 40 percent from the field in the win and also created a vast advantage at the foul line with a 12-for-17 performance at the stripe.

We Now Return To Your Regular Programming: Junior guard Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) made quite a splash in her return to the starting lineup on Tuesday. In addition to her 13 point performance, the native of California did not leave the floor as she logged all 40 minutes played in the Pioneer backcourt. The guard started 21 of 25 games as a freshman, and made just one start in 22 appearances last season.

Strong Start: Utica's season opening win stacks up well among other Empire 8 conference schools at the start of their seasons. They lead the Empire 8 Conference in team assists per game with 17.0, are second in defensive rebounds per game (25.0) and third in offensive rebounds per game (13.0).

Holding Court: Conkin, Johndrow and Przygoda stand in the top 10 in the Empire 8 Conference in points per game with 13 each. Johndrow also leads the conference in assists per game (6.0), is in the top three for 3-pointers made (three) and ranks fifth in steals (three) as well. Florian is currently the team rebound leader with eight boards.

Scouting Wells College: The Express are 0-2 to begin their season after losing 74-69 against D'Youville last Saturday (Nov. 10) and 78-57 to Alfred State on Tuesday. Wells is currently led by Carley Ryan, who averages 25.5 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game in two appearances this season. The Express were 9-16 last season.

Against Wells: The last time the Pioneers faced the Express was last year. UC won the game 63-49 over Wells at the Clark Athletic Center on Saturday, November 18th. Utica was led by senior forward Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) who had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the game. Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) led all returning players with 10 points apiece.

Looking Ahead: UC will play its first home game of the season next on Tuesday, Nov. 20 against Oneonta. It will the first of five consecutive home games. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m at the Clark Athletic Center.