Utica, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team defeated Houghton, 49-45, at home on Saturday. The Pioneers improved to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in Empire 8 play.
In the first quarter
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) scored the first six points for UC, as the team held a 6-4 lead with 4:44 on the clock. Houghton put together an 8-2 run in just 1:36, seizing a four-point lead with 2:20 remaining in the quarter. Freshman
Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) knocked down back-to-back 3-point shots towards the end of the first, to tie the game up at 14-14 going into the second.
Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) scored all seven points in Utica's 7-2 run, that gave the team a 21-16 lead with 6:48 remaining in the first half. The visiting Highlanders went on a 9-0 run to earn a four-point lead with less than a minute before halftime. A put-back layup and a long-range buzzer beater from
Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) gave the Pioneers a 26-25 lead going into the locker room.
The game remained tight early in the third quarter, as UC led Houghton by just one point, with the clock reading 5:40.
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) sank a shot from beyond the 3-point arc to spark a 10-0 run in the span of 2:56, to jump out to an 11-point lead with just 57 seconds left until the fourth quarter. Two quick baskets from Hougton's Emily Swanson cut the Pioneer lead to 46-41 with 4:57 remaining in the game. Freshman
Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic)'s free throw with just 15 seconds left in regulation, iced the game as UC went on to earn the four-point victory.
Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) led Utica with a career-high 11 points, as she shot 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) and
Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) each scored eight points in the win. Freshman
Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancey Memorial) recorded six points and a career-high of six assists in the contest.
Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) came off the bench to score seven points on 2-for-3 shooting.
Houghton was led by Emily Swanson's double-double, on 14 points and 10 rebounds. Brittany Lenart finished with 10 points and six boards, while Leslie Moose recorded six points, eight boards, and three blocks. The Highlanders are now 11-9 overall and 7-4 against E8 opponents after the loss.
The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday, as they travel to Sage for another Empire 8 matchup. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
