UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team defeated Keuka College 66-51 on Saturday afternoon in a convincing Empire 8 victory.
 
The Pioneers turned in another balanced scoring performance as three players reached double figures. Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) poured in 19 points to tie her season-high and grabbed 13 rebounds which set a new season-high. Stack has been dominant, scoring more than 10 points with seven or more rebounds in three -straight games. 
 
Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) and Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) were other viable scoring options today as each recorded more than 11 points with at least one three pointer made. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) turned in another stat sheet stuffing performance with eight points, nine rebounds, and a career-high eight steals.
 
The Wolves hit a pair of threes to jump out to a 6-0 edge before Utica cut the lead to 6-4. Keuka responded with another three pointer yet Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) splashed one from beyond the arc to make it a 9-7 Keuka lead. The Pioneers ended the quarter on a 7-0 and a Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) three-pointer helped the team take a 16-13 edge into the second quarter.
 
Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) nailed a pair of shots from beyond the arc to extend the Pioneer edge to 22-17 halfway through the second frame. The team had a 10-0 run to jump out to a 26-17 advantage. Utica continued to play fantastic, and the team took a 34-24 lead into the half.
 
Keuka cut into the lead as Sydney Brown canned a three pointer to make it a 36-30 game just two minutes into the second half. Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) responded with a pair of layups to increase the Pioneers lead back to double digits. A pair of buckets by Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) helped Utica take a 50-35 edge into the final quarter of play.
 
Utica continued to score at will and played hounding defense resulting in a few Keuka turnovers. Rotando turned in a phenomenal quarter as she recorded seven points, two assists, and a steal during the frame. Utica would win 66-51 and secure another Empire 8 victory.
 
Utica (9-11, 4-9 Empire 8) will hit the road to face St. John Fisher on Tuesday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m.