UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team used an 18-2 run in a seven-minute stretch to end the first half and never looked back on its way to a 69-59 victory over visiting Houghton College in Empire 8 Conference action on Saturday afternoon. 

UC's Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) continued her stellar season as she posted 21 points and added eight assists.  Freshman Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) added to her E8 Rookie of the Year campaign resume as she posted 18 points and added 10 assists in the victory. 

Before the start of the contest the Pioneers honored their graduating seniors, including Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), Alayna Cormier (Williamsburg, VA/Warhill), Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain), Cortlynn Jepsen (Hudson, NY/Hudson) and team manager Kristina Perez (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh). 

Utica improved to 8-16 overall and picked up their third conference victory of the season.  The Pioneers handed the Highlanders their fifth straight loss and their record fell to 11-13 overall and 4-11 in the E8. 

Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) added 12 points on her senior night for the Pioneers. Cortlynn Jepsen (Hudson, NY/Hudson) got the start and did not disappoint as she nabbed seven rebounds and added six points. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancey Memorial) was on point from downtown once again as she drilled two 3-pointers off the bench and also added five rebounds. 

Houghton, which earned a convincing victory over the Pioneers earlier this season, was led by Emily Swanson's 16 points. Alex Steele added eight points and Leslie Moose scored six.  

The Pioneers return to the court on Tuesday for their season finale against visiting Elmira at 5:30 p.m.