UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team defeated Russell Sage College 55-39 to collect its first Empire 8 victory of the season. 
 
The Pioneers played physical basketball out rebounding Sage 54 to 45 and forced 20 Gator turnovers leading to 14 points off turnovers.
 
Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) shined for the Pioneers tying her career-high with an immaculate 27 points while adding four rebounds, three steals, one block, and one assist. The freshman shot a strong 12-for-20 from the field while knocking down three triples.
 
McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) scored 10 points with five rebounds, three assists, and one steal while Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) was a big part of the victory adding nine points and six rebounds. Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) scored five points and corralled four rebounds with Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) and Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) each leading the team with seven boards. Rotando was also active defensively, swiping three steals to tie the team lead with Hall.
 
Lagase got the party started for the Pioneers nailing two triples to give the team an early 6-2 lead about three minutes into the contest. Utica's offense was rolling with a strong 8-0 run to put the team ahead 14-4 at the 4:21 mark of the first quarter. Two straight Hall layups at the end of the frame gave Utica a 18-9 edge after one quarter of play.
 
Sage found its offensive rhythm in the second frame with a quick 7-2 run to cut the lead to just 21-16 at the 6:35 mark. Utica responded by cashing a McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) three pointer and Godkin layup. The Gators responded again, closing the quarter on a six point run to trail 28-24 at the half.
 
Utica came out firing with a five point run to push its lead to 33-24 yet the Gators trimmed the lead to just five with two quick buckets. The Pioneers started to create opportunities for Hall in the paint and she was able to convert some tough shots and help the team take a 46-35 advantage into the final quarter of play.
 
Hall continued to cook in the paint with another bucket to open the final frame. Both teams played a strong defensive quarter with Utica allowing just an incredible four points in the fourth. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) had a strong quarter with four points and Jordan Carmosino (Ringwood, NJ/Lakeland Regional) nailed two late free throws to give Utica a 55-39 Empire 8 win.
 
Utica (4-7, 1-1 Empire 8) will travel to face Nazareth University on Tuesday, January 9 at 5:30 p.m.