UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's basketball team earned a thrilling come-from-behind victory over visiting Nazareth College, 89-79, in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday afternoon.
 
This marks Utica's first win over Naz since Feb. 2, 2017.  With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 10-6 on the year and 3-2 in the Empire 8.  Nazareth meanwhile drops to 10-5 (2-2 E8).  Utica looks to carry its momentum into a conference road trip next weekend.  UC will face Houghton College on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and wrap up the weekend at Alfred University on Saturday (4 p.m.)
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a fast start and led Nazareth 23-20 after the first quarter.  The Golden Flyers responded in the second quarter to take a 40-37 lead into halftime.  Utica came out firing on all cylinders as the Pioneers outscored the visitors 28-12 in the third quarter, thanks in part to sinking 5-of-6 three-pointers. Naz pulled within four points with just 2:49 remaining in regulation, but timely buckets by Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) and Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) ensured the Utica victory.
 
Conkin had a standout performance as she finished with a career-high 33 points and added a team-best five steals and seven assists.  Przygoda collected her seventh double-double of the year as she finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, including six off the offensive glass.  Conkin and Przygoda were also lights out on free throws, combining for 19-of-22 from the charity strip.  
 
Sophomore Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) also had a big game for the Pioneers as she finished with a career-best 20 points, including 6-of-11 from three-point land.  Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) totaled nine points and added six dishes, while Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) and Kristine Miller (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) also chipped in offensively.