UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to Morrisville State 79-71 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The teams started the first quarter exchanging buckets before the Mustangs held a 7-4 edge. Morrisville hit a pair of three-pointers to hold a 17-11 advantage before Utica had an 8-0 scoring run to take a 19-17 lead. The run featured buckets by Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), and Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont). The Mustangs struck back, yet a Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) jumper aided the Pioneers in ending the first quarter up 23-20.
 
Morrisville started the second frame with an 8-0 run to jump out to a 28-23 lead just two minutes into the quarter. Utica continued to battle back though as a three-pointer by DeMarco and a jumper by Burchhardt had the Pioneers down 34-31 with two minutes left in the frame. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) hit a clutch three-pointer to knot the game at 36-36 entering the half.
 
To begin the third quarter, the teams exchanged baskets. The Mustangs were up three, then Utica responded to even the match at 44-44 off a Burchhardt triple. Burchhardt hit another three-pointer to give Utica a 47-44 edge three minutes into the frame. With just three minutes to play in the quarter, the Pioneers held a 54-49 lead, yet Morrisville came storming back to tie the game at 56-56 entering the fourth.
 
The Mustangs shot exceptionally well in the fourth quarter to jump out to a significant lead after a quarter-opening 17-0 on the back of 5-for-5 three-point shooting through the first 4:30 of the fourth. Yet, the Pioneers would keep battling until the end. Utica's comeback fell short as the Mustangs won 79-71.
 
Burchhardt led the Pioneers in scoring with 21 points, including hitting four three-pointers while collecting eight rebounds. Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) continues to have a great presence down low as she poured in 11 points with six rebounds. Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) played terrific all-around as she tallied seven points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.
 
Utica (6-3, 1-1 Empire 8) will return after break to host St. John Fisher University on Saturday, January 3, at 5:30 p.m. in an Empire 8 clash.