ALFRED, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the Alfred University Saxons 61-50 on Friday night.
 
Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) led the way for Utica with 14 points with two rebounds, one block, and one steal. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) poured in 13 points with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) scored 12 points and collected three rebounds and one assist. Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) continued her strong play as she brought in nine rebounds with six assists. 
 
The Pioneers started off hot as McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) nailed a three pointer to give Utica a 3-0 edge. A pair of Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) jumpers and a Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) mid-range shot gave Utica a quick 9-3 advantage with just under four minutes left in the quarter. Alfred would fight back but a pair of made free throws by DeMarco helped the Pioneers take a 12-9 lead into the second frame.
 
An Alfred three pointer tied the game at 12-12 yet Utica responded and took a 16-12 lead halfway through the second quarter. The Saxons took a one-point edge, yet the Pioneers responded as Simmons made a layup to put Utica up 18-17. A DeMarco jumper tied the game at 22-22 and that would be the score heading into the half.
 
Utica started the second half out strong and held a 30-24 advantage just over two minutes into the second half. Alfred cut the lead to 32-29 before the Pioneers went up 37-29 as DeMarco canned one from beyond the arc and Simmons nailed a transition layup. A layup by Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East) helped Utica hold a 43-37 edge and the Pioneers took a 43-42 lead into the final frame.
 
The Saxons nailed a pair of three pointers to open a 48-43 lead just over three minutes into the final quarter of play. A Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) layup cut the Alfred edge to 50-48 with under five minutes to play. Utica kept battling but a few late three pointers by the Saxons led to them winning the game 61-50.
 
Utica (9-13, 4-11 Empire 8) will head to face Elmira College on Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m.