UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set to face Plattsburgh State and Houghton University in the upcoming week. The team will host Plattsburgh on Monday, November 27 at 6 p.m. in its Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game. Utica will then travel to face Houghton on Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m. in its first conference match-up of the season.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend Monday's home game can tune in for live video and or stats here. Houghton will provide live video and or stats here.
 
Last Time Out: The team collected its first win of the season over crosstown rival SUNY Poly 50-45 on Tuesday night. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) shined for the squad posting 12 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three assists and was doing it all for the team. Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) extended her double-digit scoring streak to five with 12 points while also hauling in five boards and doing well on defense with two blocks and one steal. Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) poured in six points with six rebounds and Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East) was terrific again with six points, four rebounds, four steals, and one block. Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) was great on the glass scooping up a team-high seven rebounds while adding two points and a pair of assists. Utica's defense was strong forcing 23 turnovers leading to 23 points off turnovers. The team picked off 15 passes and rejected five shots during the contest. Utica wasted no time grabbing an early 5-0 lead with McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) scoring all five of the points. The defenses were tight in the first quarter forcing plenty of tough shots yet a late three-pointer by Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) helped Utica lead 12-6 after one. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) had a steal and fast break layup to put the Pioneers up 14-6 just 18 seconds into the frame. Utica was cruising as a bucket by Kieara Kirvan (Ledyard, CT/Ledyard) and free throws by Halvarson had the team up 22-8 just over halfway through the quarter. Yet, Poly ended the first half on an eight-point scoring run to cut the Utica halftime lead to 25-18. The teams exchanged plenty of buckets throughout the third frame with Utica holding a 30-23 advantage halfway through. But Poly came storming back with a few quick scoring runs to knot the score at 35-35 with under two minutes remaining. However, the Pioneers rallied back and held a 38-35 edge after three. Poly cut the lead to just two again to begin the fourth, but Utica had a small scoring run to lead 44-40 with just over five minutes remaining in the match. The Pioneers clanged onto a 44-43 edge with 3:50 to play yet played extraordinary offense and defense to close out the game and win it 50-45.
 
Ken I Help You: McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) has been playing great this season and has really started to breakout over her last few games especially defensively. The sophomore is tied for second in the conference with 14 steals and has had at least three steals in her past three games. Simmons has started to heat up offensively as well, dropping 12 points in two of her last three appearances including making two three-pointers against SUNY Poly which has helped stretch the floor.
 
Pass Me the Rock: Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) has been extraordinary to begin her collegiate career dropping double digit points in all five of her outings. The freshman is fifth in the Empire 8 averaging a fine 14.6 points per game and is the Pioneers top scorer. Her crafty post moves have been a bright spot for the team's offense while providing a great free throw shooter.
 
Hope Schooled: Senior Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East) has been consistently doing it all for the Pioneers and has been wreaking havoc on defenders. The Cranston, RI native has dropped at least four points, one block, and four steals in back-to-back outings. She turned in a fantastic appearance against SUNY Poly with six points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and four steals and is budding into a defensive star for the Pioneers.
 
Scouting the Cardinals: Plattsburgh is 2-2 to begin the new season and lost to Vermont State University of Castleton 65-59 in its last match on Saturday, November 18. The offense is led by Payton Couture who is averaging 16 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Julia Greek, Imani Walcott, and Jaden Wilson are three more premier scorers with each averaging at least 12.5 points per game. Greek is the top perimeter threat and has been great behind the arc shooting 8-for-20 thus far. Walcott is the top interior presence with seven blocks while Mya Smith is another lockdown defender with 11 steals to lead the squad. 
 
Looking at Houghton: The Highlanders are a perfect 6-0 thus far as the team topped Alfred State 71-51 on Tuesday, November 21. Houghton will clash with SUNY Canton on Tuesday, November 28 before meeting with Utica on Saturday, December 2. The duo of Kayla Camacho and Crysta LaCrosse lead the way with each averaging at least 12 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. Carlee Miller and Tabitha DeVries are two more names to look out for with both capable of scoring as well as playing lockdown defense with each ranking towards the top of the team in steals and blocks.

Up Next: The team will travel to face SUNY Delhi on Wednesday, December 6 at 5 p.m.