UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team will kick off its two-game homestand before the semester break when the team hosts Wells College on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Pioneers will then be back in action on Saturday to host Morrisville State at noon.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend either of the home contests can tune in with live video and/or stats via https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5.
 
Last Time Out: The team beat Hartwick College 53-37 on Saturday, December 3. The win was Utica's first Empire 8 victory of the season and broke a two-game losing skid. Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) led the team with sixteen points and shot an efficient 50 percent from the field while collecting seven rebounds and five steals. Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) played phenomenal as she was able to set up the offense with ease. DeMarco scored seven points, grabbed six rebounds, and had a season-high 10 assists. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) had another strong performance hauling in nine boards and five points.
 
Helping Hand: Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) has been dishing out dimes all season long and leads the team with 33. Against Hartwick, the veteran guard facilitated a season-high 10 assists while collecting six rebounds and scoring seven points. Her ability to create opportunities for her teammates has helped the Pioneers jump out to its 5-2 start.
 
Scoreiano: Veteran Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) has been a sharpshooter this season and has begun to heat up. She is second on the team with 73 points and third in points per game at 10.4. She has dropped 15 or more points in two of her last three games, including an outstanding 23 against Russell Sage. The Queens native is fourth in the Empire 8 with a .390 three-point percentage and has hit sixteen three-pointers this season. Her ability to stretch the floor has been phenomenal this season and has given the team a reliable perimeter threat.
 
Deep Rotation: A crucial part of the team's success this season has been its balanced scoring, especially from the bench. Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) has been the team's top scorer with 77 points this season. Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), and Karlee Nims (Hartford, NY/Hartford) all average more than five points per game off the bench and have deepened the team's rotation. 
 
Early Success: Utica is fourth in the Empire 8 averaging 67.6 points per game, as its offense has been productive. Yet, the team's defense has been relentless as it is second in the Empire 8 allowing just 50.9 points per game for a margin of 16.7 points per game which ranks third in the E8. 
 
Scouting Wells: The Wells College Express are 0-7 to begin this season and 0-1 in conference play. The team lost its last matchup on December 3 to Penn State Berks 75-20. The Express' top scorer is Ai Orita who averages 7.71 points per game. Morgan Adams is third on the team in scoring and first in rebounds and has been the team's main presence down low. Wells struggles to score as the team averages just 22.4 points per game while allowing 85.
 
Morrisville Outlook: The Mustangs are 3-4 this season and 1-0 in United East play. The team collected its first conference win in its 91-54 victory over Penn State Abington on December 2. A pair of dynamic scorers lead Morrisville in Cara Walker and Brooke Hammersley. Walker averages 14.7 points per game, and Hammersley averages 13.6 points per game. The duo is also the team's top two rebounders and provides a plethora of points in the paint while providing the team plenty of second-chance points. 
 
Up Next: After this week, Utica will be off until January 3 when the team hosts St. John Fisher at 5:30 p.m.