ROCHESTER, NY -- The Utica College women's basketball team fell in a tight contest at St. John Fisher College on Saturday afternoon, 69-65. UC is currently tied for fourth in the Empire 8 with Hartwick College, and must win its meeting with Houghton on Tuesday to clinch a spot in the E8 playoffs. 

The Pioneers got out to a quick 7-0 lead to open the contest, led by Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) with a pair of layups. Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) posted a three-pointer in the run. Przyogda added another layup to the stat sheet, while Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) put up a three of her own to close out the quarter leading 14-12.

Quarter two opened with the pair trading buckets, but eventually saw a shift in scoring, as the hosts were able to outscore Utica 20-9. Przygoda accounted for six of Utica's points. 

The game got more competitive in the third period of play, as UC worked to stay within striking distance for a majority of the contest, trailing by just nine by the end. Przygoda again led her squad in scoring, this time with seven points. 

Despite being unable to tie the contest, the Pioneers were able to bring the game within two as Conkin posted a bucket from behind the arc with 1:08 remaining on the clock, 67-65. The Cardinals put up a pair of free throws to put the hopes of a comeback to bed.

Przygoda led her team in scoring and rebounds, accounting for a double-double with marks of 25 and 12, respectively. Conkin was close behind in the points category with 19 points, leading in assists with six. The senior was 4-for-10 from three-point land.

Utica returns to action for its last home contest of the season on Tuesday, set to host Houghton for a 7:30 p.m. start time.