UTICA, NY - The Utica women's basketball team celebrated its seniors prior to Saturday's game against the Houghton University Highlanders yet fell short to 64-52. The seniors honored were Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial), Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Kristine Miller (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane), and Sarah Hovey (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro).
 
Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) led the way with a career-high 20 points on 7-for-9 from the field while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) dropped her second double-double in the past three games pouring in 11 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
 
Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) had 10 points with five rebounds and a team-leading three steals. Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) scored three points with seven rebounds and four assists. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) added two points with five rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) scored six points with four rebounds and one steal in just 12 minutes.
 
Houghton began the game on a 5-0 run over the course of the first two and a half minutes before Utica found the scoreboard. Two free throws by Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) broke the ice for the Pioneers who would go on to score 6 more points within the next 2 minutes and give them a 8-0 run before Houghton answered. However, once Houghton found the bottom of the net again, they would outscore the Pioneers 12-8 to end the first quarter 17-16. 
 
Both sides started the second quarter with tough defense as the teams were held scoreless for the first two minutes until Houghton nailed a three pointer to start the scoring. Both sides each scored nine points in the frame with the second quarter ending 26-25 in Houghton's favor. 
 
At the start of the third quarter both sides started off quick with each netting a basket within the opening minute. It was a team effort from the Pioneers with buckets coming from six different players which included Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), and Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) who were the top-three scorers for the Pioneers tonight. After an offensive battle in the third frame, the Pioneers entered the fourth down 45-42. 
 
At the start of the fourth, Utica came in firing, scoring six points and taking a 48-45 lead over Houghton. Yet, Houghton found its groove after the Pioneer run and scored 17 more points while holding the Pioneers to four more points through the last six minutes. 
 
Today marked the end of the 2022-2023 season for Utica.