UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team never trailed and extended its lead to as many as 26 points in the second quarter on its way to a convincing 76-51 Empire 8 Conference victory over visiting Elmira College in the season finale for the Pioneers on Tuesday night.  Sophomore Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) came up just two assists shy of a triple-double as she finished the contest with 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.  Senior Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) went out with a bang as she led all scorers with 21 points, and added 10 rebounds, to help the Pioneers pick up their second straight victory to close out the season.

UC finished the year with a record of 9-16 overall and 4-12 in the E8.  Elmira caps its season with a record of 6-19 and 2-14 in conference play. The Soaring Eagles were led by a 14 point effort from Rachel Vespucci in the loss.

Utica dominated all facets of play as the Pioneers scored 25 points on the fast break, 46 points in the paint and 25 points off of turnovers.  The Pioneers shot 44.3% from the floor on the evening and held the visitors to below 30% shooting (21-of-71). 

UC jumped out to a commanding 24-6 lead in the first quarter of play and never looked back.  The Pioneers held a 39-20 lead at the half.  Seven different Pioneers scored in the first 20 minutes of play and they were led by an 11 point, six assist, five rebound first half effort from Johndrow.  Freshman Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) added eight points and six rebounds in the first 20 minutes to help push the Pioneers lead to 19 points headed into the locker room at the half. 

Przygoda finished the night with 10 points and eight rebounds, while junior point guard Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) added 13 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.  Senior Cortlynn Jepsen (Hudson, NY/Hudson) posted eight rebounds and four points in her final game in the orange and blue. 

UC went on to outscored the visitors 37-31 in the final 20 minutes of action to earn the 25 point win.

Elmira's Bridget Yaw netted nine points and added three rebounds for the Soaring Eagles.