HOUGHTON, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the Houghton Highlanders 62-55 on Friday night.
 
Utica was led by Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) who dropped a season-high fifteen points and shot 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) continued her strong season pouring in 12 points with eight rebounds and it was her third straight game with six points and six rebounds. Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) dropped nine points with six rebounds while McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) added six points and seven rebounds. 
 
The Pioneers forced 11 turnovers and scored 22 points in the paint. Utica's bench contributed with fifteen points and its rebounding continued to be strong as the team corralled 46. The team shot well from three-point range going 6-for-17 for the game. Defensively, Simmons led the team with three steals while DeMarco, Geraci and Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) each recorded one. Kristine Miller (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) led the team with a season-high three blocks and has now recorded at least one block in back-to-back games.
 
The Pioneers led 5-4 a few moments into the game as Kristine Miller (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) layed one in and Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) nailed a three-pointer. Utica's offense continued to produce as McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) hit a layup and a shot from beyond the arc by Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) extended the lead to 10-4. The Highlanders continued to battle, and the first quarter ended 13-13.
 
Utica started off the second quarter on a 4-0 run as Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) and Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) each nailed a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 17-13. The Highlanders hit a pair of three pointers to jump out to a 26-19 edge. The teams exchanged baskets and Houghton led 32-26 at the half.
 
The Pioneers cut the lead to 34-32 as DeMarco splashed another from beyond the arc. Yet Houghton responded with two three pointers of its own to increase the lead to 40-32. The Highlanders took a 52-39 advantage into the final quarter of play. Utica cut the lead to under eight twice in the frame, yet Houghton held on for a 62-55 win.
 
Utica (8-7, 3-5 Empire 8) will continue its road trip and face Medaille University on Saturday, January 21 at 2 p.m.