WESTFIELD, MA - The Utica University women's basketball team fell in the opening game of the Westfield Gas and Electric Tip Off Tournament to the host, Westfield State University, by a score of 78-70 Friday evening. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central), who put together a career outing with 32 points (12-19 FG, 1-3 3PT, 7-9 FT), 10 rebounds, and an assist. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) recorded her first double double of the season with 22 points (7-15 FG, 3-8 3PT, 5-6 FT), and led all Pioneer rebounders with 13 and dished out 5 assists. Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) each hauled in six boards and three and four assists respectively. 

In the opening frame, Utica would be able to get the offense going early, despite being held scoreless in the first two minutes of the frame. The Pioneers would get ahead by as much as three, courtesy of Hall, but it would be the Owls that would capitalize on a plethora of Utica turnovers, scoring 14 off turnovers in the first quarter. Utica would fall behind in the opening frame by 11, at 30-19 in favor of the Owls. 

The second quarter would be a battle of defense as both teams would combine for only 14 total points in the frame. Three different Pioneers would record a steal in the frame in Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes), Kate Mahoney (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes), and Atty as Utica would be able to hold the Owls to only eight points in the frame. Utica would be unable to cut into the deficit, going into the halftime break down 38-25. 

Coming out of the break, both teams would score 22 points in a frame that would see the Pioneers get back into form. Utica would only allow the Owls to grow the lead from 13  to 16 throughout the entirety of the frame, but would be unable to cut into the deficit. 

The final quarter would see Utica be able to swing the momentum back into its favor, outsourcing the Owls in the final frame, 23-18. A pair of free throws from Godkin would get the offense going in the final frame for the Pioneers. Utica would be able to get the Owls lead down to six with time expiring in the frame, but it would be the Owls that prevail, 78-70. 

Utica (0-4, 0-0 Empire 8) will take on the Wellesley College Blue in the Westfield Gas and Electric Tip Off Tournament Consolation game. Tip off is set for noon from Westfield, MA.