UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's basketball team got back on track Thursday evening as it downed visiting MCLA 73-57 on Doris and Walter Miga Court dedication night.
 
With the win, Utica improves to 3-2 on the year and looks to carry its momentum into a contest against Alfred State on Sunday.  Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center.
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a commanding 21-4 lead in the first 4:30 of action, thanks in part to a pair of three-pointers each by Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) and Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro).  Utica tacked on 19 more points in the second quarter to take a 49-26 lead into halftime.  The Pioneers let their foot off the gas some in the second half as the Trailblazers outscored Utica 28-27 over the final 20 minutes.
 
DeMarco led UC with a game-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from behind the arc.  Junior Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) was right behind her with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Johndrow was the third Utica player to reach double-digits in points as she collected 10 on the evening. 
 
Freshman Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) was again Utica's top rebounder as she collected 13 boards, including seven off the offensive glass, and she also chipped in with eight points.
 
Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) and Madison O'Hagan (Seaford, NY/Seaford) combined for 13 points, while Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancey Memorial) had five and Cortlynn Jepsen (Hudson, NY/Hudson) totaled four points.  Cora Sawyer (New London, CT/New London) and Marissa Woods (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) also chipped in offensively.
 
Following the game, Utica officially unveiled Miga Court, named in honor of Walter and Doris Miga, who passed away in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Professor Doris Miga began teaching at Utica College in January of 1963.  She was a Professor Emerita of Sociology at Utica College for 47 years.  In 2010, she was inducted into UC's Pioneer Hall of Fame for her dedication to the College, the basketball programs and the intramural basketball league.  Walter was a loyal supporter of Utica College and served as president of the booster club for many years.