UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set to host SUNY Poly on Tuesday, November 21 at 4 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend the home match can tune in for live video and/or stats here.
 
Last Time Out: The Utica University women's basketball team fell to Manhattanville College 64-39 on Saturday afternoon. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
 
Scoring Machine: Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) has had a remarkable start to her Pioneer career dropping at least 10 points in all four of her games thus far. The freshman poured in a career-high 26 against Union where she was unstoppable down low using nifty moves to make some tough baskets. The Whitesville, NY native has also been able to stretch the floor making one three in three of four games while being nearly automatic from the line shooting 22-for-24. 
 
Clamps: The Pioneers defense has been lockdown grabbing 52 steals with 10 blocks through the team's first four matchups. Utica thrived against Union where it had a ridiculous 19 steals including seven players tallying at least two in the contest. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) leads the team with 10 steals and has recorded at least one steal in three of four games this season with a season-high six against Union.
 
New Faces Making an Impact: The influx of new Pioneers have been terrific thus far for Utica. Hall leads the way averaging 15.3 points per game with Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) providing consistent scoring, rebounding, and a fierce defender as she leads the team with three blocks while averaging 5.8 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes), Kate Mahoney (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes), Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central), Kieara Kirvan (Ledyard, CT/Ledyard), Jordan Carmosino (Ringwood, NJ/Lakeland Regional), Brianelly Cruz (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou Freedom), and Jaida Larsen (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) have all made an appearance already this season with each providing valuable minutes to the team. Mahoney and Godkin have appeared in at least three games with Mahoney dropping 16 points thus far and Godkin corralling 10 rebounds.  
 
Scouting Poly: The Wildcats are 0-3 to begin the new season after falling to Elmira 60-30 in its last game on Saturday, November 18. Alivia Turk leads the offense averaging 9.3 points per game with Kate Donnelly being another impressive scorer averaging 8 points per game. Turk and Patricia Vanlue are the team's top rebounders each averaging 7.3 per game with Sophia Murray being the team's top facilitator averaging 2.3 assists per game. Murray and Vanlue are also a fine defensive duo, each averaging over 2.0 steals per game.
 
Up Next: The team will host Plattsburgh State on Monday, November 27 at 6 p.m. in their faculty and staff appreciation game.