Elmira, NY - The Utica College women's basketball team saw their quest for a second straight win stopped just short on Friday night. The Pioneers trailed by just four points at halftime and immediately wiped out that deficit to begin the third quarter, but Elmira snapped the tie with a 17-8 run to close out the quarter and held even with the Pioneers in the fourth quarter as the Soaring Eagles topped Utica 70-60 at Elmira's Spiedel Gymnasium.
The Pioneers are now 7-14, and 2-10 in the Empire 8 Conference.
Utica had three players in double figures in the defeat. Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) was a point shy of a double-double performance with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) added 11 from the Pioneer backcourt. Guard Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) also tacked on a double figure effort for a third time in four games with ten points. Alayna Cormier (Williamsburg, VA/Warhill) had one of her best performances ever in a Pioneer uniform with nine points in just five minutes of action.
The Pioneers shot 41.8 percent from the field and made six three point baskets on the night, but were topped by numerous key performances by the hosts. Elmira scored 21 points off turnovers and 17 fast break points while generating 16 steals, and also had 16 second chance points. The hosts were led by Rachel Vespucci's 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Both teams broke out to an even start with a 9-9 score through the first 7:26 of action, but Elmira rode an 8-2 run from that point to a 17-10 advantage after one quarter of action. Pryzgoda and Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) had four points each to open play in the first quarter as the Pioneers trailed coming out of the opening frame.
The Pioneers got the better of the second quarter of play utilizing the outside shooting that partially buoyed them to their last victory earlier in the week against Sage. Utica made four three point baskets in the second quarter, with two coming from Conkin and others coming from Soriano and Johndrow to account for 12 of their 20 second quarter points as the Pioneers trailed 34-30 at halftime. Przygoda led Utica with eight points at the break.
It took the Pioneers just 31 seconds to wipe away the deficit in the third quarter of play. Przygoda nailed an early layup, and Johndrow was fouled while driving to the basket and made both foul shots to immediately even the score. That's as close as Utica would come the rest of the way as Elmira scored the next nine points on their way to a 17-8 quarter-ending run, and Elmira outlasted Utica with a 19-18 fourth quarter.
Conkin continued a lengthy iron-woman streak for Utica in the matchup. She played all 40 minutes of regulation for a fourth consecutive game, and has played over 160 straight minutes without leaving Utica's lineup on the hardwood.
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday as they continue their Empire 8 road swing against Nazareth College. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Rochester. The Pioneers will meet Elmira for a second time this season on Wednesday, February 13th as they play host to the Soaring Eagles on Miga Court at 5:30 p.m.
