MORRISVILLE, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team topped SUNY Morrisville 78-66 on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.
 
Utica was led by a trio of scorers with Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central), Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont), and McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) all enjoying season-best performances. Hall led the squad with 24 points, two assists, and two steals. Burchhardt tied her career-high of 21 points which she set last year against Morrisville and also added six rebounds, two assists, and three rebounds. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) poured in a season-high 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals and was a key contributor on both sides of the ball.
 
The team shot well from beyond the arc going 10-for-26 and forced an incredible 28 turnovers, leading to 19 points off turnovers. 
 
The Pioneers got off to a scorching start as the team was in full control on both sides of the ball, forcing the Mustangs into tough shots and eight turnovers within the first six minutes of the contest. The plethora of turnovers led to quick fast break buckets for Utica, and the team grasped a firm 21-3 edge after the first quarter of play.
 
The Mustangs nailed a pair of free throws for the first points of the second frame, yet the Pioneers continued to score with ease, with Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) and Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) extending the Utica lead to 30-8 halfway through the quarter. Morrisville hit a few buckets, yet the Pioneers responded with Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) canning a pair of triples in two straight possessions to aid the Pioneers in holding a 42-21 lead at the half.
 
Morrisville began the third quarter with a 6-2 run, looking to  trim its deficit. However, Burchhardt responded with another triple to put an end to the nice start of the half for the hosts. The Mustangs hit a few from beyond the arc to trim the lead to 49-36, but Utica answered with a pair of buckets. Morrisville kept battling trailing just 53-41 yet Utica held a 56-43 after three quarters of play.
 
Utica came out firing in the fourth quarter with Hall, Burchhardt, and Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) each scoring, increasing the lead to 63-43. The Pioneers defense remained strong forcing tough shots and forcing turnovers to lead 71-55 with just under four minutes to play. Utica forced a few crucial turnovers down the stretch and hit its free throws to win the game 78-66.   
 
Utica (3-6, 0-1 Empire 8) will travel to clash with SUNY Cortland on Tuesday, January 2 at 3 p.m for its final non-conference bout of the season.