UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team dropped its first contest of 2020 in a close bout with Union College on Friday afternoon, moving to 7-4 on the season.
The Pioneers were able to open an eight-point lead in the first quarter, which was slowly chipped away by the visiting Dutchwomen. Union was able to post a near buzzer-beating three to go up 15-14 to end the stanza.
Quarter two saw a surge in scoring by the bad guys as they were to open up a sizable lead throughout. Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic), Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) and Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) combined for a five-point run to bring UC within seven as the clock wound down on the half. Union was able to regain a healthy lead (+19), as Amber Raisner was able sank a three with four seconds remaining to go up 46-27.
In the third stanza, the duo of Conkin and Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) were able to convert on three behind-the-arc buckets in a two minute span, with the former owning two. Johndrow ended the scoring for the quarter, posting two free throws to cut the deficit to 60-48.
The Pioneers battled back in the final 10-minute period, posting 10 unanswered points to end the contest. Przygoda was strong in the run, owning a trio of free throws and a layup, while Conkin posted a layup and a three-pointer on a fast break to force a Union 30-second timeout. UC posted 10 points on fast breaks, six of which were owned by the senior guard.
Despite losing the overall battle, Utica was 11-for-15 from the charity stripe, while outscoring Union 35-26 in the second half.
Conkin led the offensive push with a team-best 20 points and six assists, while going 3-for-5 on threes. Przygoda, who played in all 40 minutes, was close behind in scoring with 17 points, boasting a team-leading 5 (for 7) free throws. She was just one rebound shy of a double-double, tying with Johndrow for the lead with 9. Johndrow was also a rebound shy from a double-double, posting 11 points of her own, going perfect from the charity stripe, 4-for-4.
The Pioneers will return to action at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday as they kick off their Empire 8 slate with a home contest against The Sage Colleges Gators.
