UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team took down Alfred University in a Senior Day matchup on Saturday afternoon, 72-59. Prior to the contest, seniors Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead), Marissa Woods (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) and Sam Cichon (Clinton, NY/New Hartford) were honored for the contributions to the program.

The opening period started off slow, as neither team was able to sink a bucket in the first two minutes. Conkin was the first to make the board as she was able to post a layup, which was followed by four points from the bad guys. It was the Los Altos, CA native with a jumper to end the four-point run, which paired nicely with a three-pointer from Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro).

Despite trailing by two in the final minutes of the quarter, Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) tied it up 9-9 on a layup. A score that would stand heading into the second stanza.

Przygoda opened the next quarter with a layup, but saw her momentum halted as Alfred posted a three to go up. It was Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) who tied the game again, as she was able to sink a pair of buckets from the charity stripe. After trading baskets, UC found itself down after a three with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) helped the Pioneers to come out on top after the first two quarters, posting two three-pointers in the final two minutes, the latter with just 13 seconds remaining on the clock. The hosts were up 31-23 heading into half time.

Despite allowing four points by Alfred to open the third period, Utica was able to regain its bearings with a pair of threes by Johndrow and DeMarco. The buckets were only broken up by a layup and made-free throw from AU.

UC closed out the final minute of the third quarter with another three-point basket from Johndrow and a quartet of made free throws by Przygoda to go up 51-37.

The Pioneers never saw their lead dip below 11-points, despite being outscored 22-21 in the closing stanza. Przygoda led the scoring in the closing 10-minutes, posting five layups and one free throw for 11 points. Soriano was close behind with seven points on two jumpers and a made-three.

Przygoda recorded team-bests in points with 24 and rebounds, grabbing nine defensive boards. Johndrow posted a career-high five three-pointers (5-for-8), finding herself second in scoring with 17 points and second in rebounds with seven.  She led her squad in steals with three.

Conkin had a team-high nine assists, while also posting eight points and eight rebounds.

Utica hits the road for a two-game road trip, kicking off with a 7:30 p.m. contest at Nazareth on Friday.