UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the Medaille University Mavericks 63-50 in an Empire 8 battle on Friday evening.  
 
The Pioneers were led by McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) who racked up 14 points and nine rebounds, almost recording a double-double. Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) poured in 11 points with four assists including going 3-for-5 from behind the arc. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) had nine points while Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds. 
 
The team's defense was fantastic forcing 24 turnovers leading to 17 points off turnovers. Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) continued her lockdown defense and recorded a career-high six steals with three points and three rebounds. 
 
Playing in the paint was a crucial part of the Mavericks game, having outscored Utica in the paint 36-22, and won the rebound battle 50-36.
 
The two sides traded blows back and forth over the course of the first half, having Utica take an early 14-5 lead in the first quarter. The Mavericks came back in the second quarter slowly chipping away and eventually taking the lead just before half-time 32-27. 
 
Medaille continued to roll in the third quarter building its highest lead to 13 points. The Pioneers came back in the fourth quarter with a run of multiple three pointers which cut down the lead to as low as 6 points. Yet, Medaille held on to secure a 63-50 win in a tight knit Empire 8 contest.
 
Utica (10-14, 5-12 Empire 8) will host Houghton University for its senior game at home February 18th at 2 p.m.