PURCHASE, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to Manhattanville College 64-39 on Saturday afternoon.
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Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) led the team with 10 points, five rebounds, and one steal on the afternoon.
Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) did well in the paint today tallying seven points with five rebounds and one assist.
Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East) was effective in all facets of the game dropping four points with a team-high four steals with one rebound and one block.
McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) was also active defensively recording three steals and continues to be lockdown defensively this season.
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Manhattanville jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to begin the game, yet a pair of
Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) free throws trimmed the lead to 5-2. The Valiants then sparked a 12-point scoring run to hold a 17-2 advantage halfway through the frame. Utica started to chip away by getting to the free throw line with made free throws by Hall,
Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane), and
McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) to trail 20-9 after one.
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The Pioneers tried to work the ball inside more with Haley Burchardt and
Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) converting early buckets. Yet, the Valiants played a strong defensive quarter to take a 38-15 edge into halftime.
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Manhattanville continued to force pressure in the third quarter causing Utica to take time to set up its offense.
Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia),
Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East), and
Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) each scored during the frame with
Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) hitting one from beyond the arc. But the Valiants took a 60-25 edge into the final quarter of play.
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The Pioneers played great in the fourth quarter outscoring the Valiants 14-4. Hannah Godkin,
Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia),
Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East),
Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central),
Kieara Kirvan (Ledyard, CT/Ledyard), and
Jordan Carmosino (Ringwood, NJ/Lakeland Regional) all scored in the quarter. Utica played excellent defense leading to a few transition buckets and was able to set up its offense nicely, yet Manhattanville hung on for a 64-39 victory.
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Utica (0-4, 0-0 Empire 8) will return home to host crosstown rival SUNY Poly on Tuesday, November 21 at 4 p.m.
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