UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team looks to keep its undefeated season rolling as the team plays three road games this week. The Pioneers begin the road trip by traveling to face cross town rivals SUNY Poly at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The team then travels to Russell Sage College at 5:30 p.m. on Friday to begin its early Empire 8 slate before concluding the week at Hartwick College at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Follow Along: Poly will provide live video and stats through
https://bit.ly/2EH6kIm. Sage will provide live video via
https://bit.ly/3XBp8zi and live stats through
https://bit.ly/3F4tSpA.
Last Time Out: The team beat Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 66-48 on November 17 to continue Utica's flawless season as the team is now 4-0. The Pioneers did a great job at getting the majority of the team involved as nine players scored including four in double figures.
Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) had the best game of her young career as she posted 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals. The freshman was getting it done in all aspects, yet most importantly was getting the offense set up and her teammates involved.
Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) turned in another stellar performance as she posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds and shot an efficient 5-7 from the field.
Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) stuffed the stat sheet as usual recording 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals during the contest. DeMarco continues to be able to stretch the floor as she went 3-5 from behind the arc and is able to dissect the defense. Veteran
Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) added seven points, six rebounds, and three assists and continues to make plays for the Pioneers.
Burchhardt Buckets: Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) was named the Empire 8 Conference Co-Rookie of the Week, the league announced on Monday, November 21. Last week, the freshman totaled 41 points for the Pioneers over the team's three games, good for an average of 13.6 points per game. Burchhardt also posted a .405 field goal percentage and excelled from behind the arc with a .357 three-point percentage. Burchhardt also recorded 16 total rebounds as well as five steals. Her all-around phenomenal play has been vital to the team's success, and she looks to keep getting her teammates involved.
Perimeter Threats: Burchhardt,
Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), and
Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) have all shot terrific from beyond the three-point arc. Each has nailed six three pointers already and are shooting 27.3 percent or above. Both DeMarco and Burchhardt are shooting north of 31.6 percent and have been lights out from deep. The trio's ability to stretch the floor has been key for the Pioneers as it has helped open up the paint for
Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia),
Kristine Miller (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), and
Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa).
New Scorers: The Pioneers have seen plenty of new scorers contribute as its rotation is very deep and balanced this season. Three of its top-five scorers are freshmen and have been able to make an impact immediately. Burchhardt leads the team in points with 48, and Cozzens is third with 34. Cozzens has been a consistent scorer, as she has scored eight or more points in three of her four games to start her career.
Karlee Nims (Hartford, NY/Hartford) is fifth with 33 and has been a terrific inside presence shooting a whopping .813 percent from the field. These three have been wonderful additions to the Pioneers and have deepened the team's rotation.
Offensive and Defensive Success: Utica has shot the ball well from the field this season, which has been one of the main reasons for its success. The team shoots 39.2 percent from the field and holds opponents to just 28.8 percent. The Pioneers have also shot 26.8 percent from deep while limiting opponents to 19 percent. Utica's prolific scoring, paired with tough defense, has them outscoring opponents by an average of 75.5 to 43.
Scouting Poly: The Wildcats are 1-3 to begin the new campaign and dropped its last game against Cortland 76-4 on November 22. Poly has a trio of prolific scorers as Lauren Denny, Lyrik Jackson, and Molly Burdick all average more than 12.3 points per game and are the keys to the offense. Burdick averages a terrific 20 points per game and has been very efficient from all over the floor, shooting 60 percent from three-point range and 43.2 percent from the field. Burdick also leads the team in assists and steals per game, and her average of 9.3 rebounds per game is tied with Kierra Connor for the team lead.
Looking at Sage: The Gators are 3-1 to begin the season, and the team won its last outing against Morrisville State 70-59 on November 22. Giuliana Pritchard and Lauren Sanderson both average over 10.8 points per game, and Syrita Faraj leads the team averaging 15 points per game. This trio is also the team's best rebounders, while Sanderson and Pritchard are the Gator's top facilitators averaging more than 2 assists per game.
Hartwick Outlook: The Hawks have had a tough start to the season and are 0-4. Hartwick lost its last game to Cortland 79-43 on November 15 and will face Keuka College on December 2 before clashing with the Pioneers. Angelina Maselli and Morgan Perry lead the charge for the offense, as they both average over 9.3 points per game. Maselli can stretch the floor, as she has made four three pointers this season to lead the team. Sareena DiCerbo, Meghan Perry, and Bree Fargnoli each average 7 or more rebounds per game and have been able to help the Hawks earn second chance points. Fargnoli also leads the team with an average of two steals per game, and her defense has helped Hartwick create fast break points.
Up Next: After this week, Utica will return home to host Wells College on Thursday, December 8 at 6 p.m.
