ROCHESTER, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the Nazareth Golden Flyers on Friday evening by a score of 65-40. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) who notched herself 12 points (5-13 FG, 2-6 3PT), while adding three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) was also a key contributor, recording her third double double of the season (10 PTS (2-9 FG, 6-8 FT) 10 REB)) and recording a steal. Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) recorded a team high three steals, while Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) recorded two. Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) recorded a steal while Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) recorded a block. 

Utica would get out to a three point lead early in the opening frame courtesy of a layup from Cornell and a made free throw from Simmons. Nazareth would find momentum early, going on an 8-0 run with half the frame remaining to take the lead at 8-3. Nazareth would continue to push, getting out to as much as eight throughout the opening stanza. Heading into the second frame, Nazareth would hold the lead, 15-10. 

The second stanza would see both teams start the scoring quickly, but would allow a full three minutes to elapse without a score. Utica would be the team to break the drought courtesy of Godkin with just over six minutes to go in the half, cutting the Golden Flyer lead to four. Utica would be able to swing the momentum back into its favor, going on a 9-1 run for the remainder of the half, cutting into the Nazareth lead and heading into the break down by a basket at 25-23. 

Coming out of the break, both sides would struggle to maintain possession, with neither team recording a basket for the first two minutes of the third frame. Atty would find the basket for the Pioneers, breaking the drought and tying the game at 25 a side. Nazareth would then take back momentum, going on a 12-3 run to get the lead back out to nine. Utica would not get outscored for the remainder of the frame, with either side notching six points. The Pioneers would head into the final frame 41-36. 

The final frame would be all gas no breaks for the Golden Flyers. Utica would strike first, cutting the Naz lead down to four, but it would not be enough as Nazareth would outscore the Pioneers, 24-6 throughout the frame. Nazareth would take the conference matchup by a score of 65-40. 

Utica (2-9, 0-2 Empire 8) continues conference play tomorrow, Saturday, January 11 as the team takes on St. John Fisher. Tip off from Rochester, NY is set for 2pm.