UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to St. John Fisher University 76-41 on Tuesday night in Empire 8 Conference play. 
 
The Pioneers were very balanced in scoring, as Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), Karlee Nims (Hartford, NY/Hartford), and newcomer McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) all had six points. Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) posted five points with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Cristina Negron (Easthampton, MA/Williston Northampton) played valuable minutes off the bench and dished out three assists in just thirteen minutes of action.
 
As a team, Utica forced sixteen turnovers. Geraci led the team with two steals, and Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial), Kristine Miller (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), Karlee Nims (Hartford, NY/Hartford), and Cristina Negron (Easthampton, MA/Williston Northampton) all had one. The Pioneer bench contributed 23 points and continues to provide depth.
 
The Cardinals shot 41.9 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe and effectively forced the ball into the paint. Kaitlyn Walker finished with 18 points, and 15 rebounds, while Sidney Tomasso (13) and Presleigh Brunner (11) also finished in double figures.
 
The first quarter saw both teams fighting for points with physical defense. The Cardinals jumped out to a 13-3 advantage as its bigs created room down low and opportunities for its shooters on the perimeter. The Cardinals took a 17-5 advantage into the second frame and were up 67-32 entering the final frame. The Pioneers tightened up and held Fisher to nine points in the fourth quarter resulting in a 76-41 Cardinal win.
 
Utica (6-4, 1-2 Empire 8) will travel to face Keuka College on Saturday, January 7, at 2 p.m.