Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team is at home this weekend for the final two games of the season. UC hosts Alfred on Friday for an 8 p.m. start, and then plays Stevens at home on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tip-off.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers fell to Elmira, 63-49, in their last contest to make the team's record 8-15 overall and 4-10 against conference opponents.
Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) came up short of a double-double, tallying 10 points and nine rebounds.
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) put up nine points and three assists, while freshman
Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancey Memorial) poured in nine points off the bench.
Senior Day: Saturday's game against Stevens will be the last home game of the season, as UC will celebrate its Senior Day. The following seniors and their families will be recognized prior to the start of the game:
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop),
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet),
Alaina Tripp (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah),
Emily Pinckney (Canton, NY/Hugh C. Williams),
Maggie Tabone (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili),
Amanda Henderson and
Shyane Jones.
Babb Chasing 1,000: Senior guard
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) is closing in on 1,000 points for her career. Heading into the final weekend of games this year, Babb needs just 25 more points in order to reach this milestone. In previous games this season against Alfred and Stevens, she scored a total of 23 points. Babb has the opportunity to become the 13th player in program-history to surpass 1,000 career points.
Alfred Matchup: The Saxons hold an overall record of 2-21 and are currently 0-14 in Empire 8 competition. The team's most recent 64-50 loss to Nazareth, extends its losing streak to 16 games. Sam Pierre-Louis notched a double-double for Alfred, with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the game. Lyndsey McCoy poured in 11 points off the bench, while Jamie Wilcox finished with eight points and 10 boards in the loss. The first time UC and Alfred met, the Pioneers earned the 57-51 victory.
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) led the way with a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds.
Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) poured in 11 points, while
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) tallied 10 points, eight boards, and four assists. Bri Hicks put up a double-double for the Saxons, on 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jamie Wilcox led Alfred in scoring, with 17 points in the loss.
Stevens Matchup: The Ducks from Stevens are 11-12 overall this season and 8-6 in E8 play. The team is riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Stevens beat Houghton College in its last game, with the final score reading 74-57. Megan Brown led the way with 15 points and 10 rebounds, registering a double-double. Christina Li scored 15 points off the bench, while Maddi Hahn tallied 14 points and three blocks. In the last meeting between Utica and Stevens, the Pioneers earned the 48-39 win.
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) and
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) combined to score 25 points, while
Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) grabbed a season-high of 11 rebounds in the win. Megan Brown put up a double-double on 16 points and 11 boards in the loss. No other player from Stevens scored double-digits, as UC's defense held the Ducks to just 22.6% shooting from the floor in the contest.
Wrapping it up: Friday and Saturday's games will be the final two contests of the season for the Utica College women's basketball team, as the Pioneers will not compete in the conference tournament.
