ROCHESTER, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team completed its road trip this afternoon as the team took on the St. John Fisher Cardinals in an Empire 8 Conference matchup. The Pioneers fell to the Cardinals by a score of 75-57. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), who recorded 15 points (5-11 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-3 FT) and nine rebounds, while Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) added 14 points (6-18 FG, 2-2 FT) and eight boards. Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) contributed 13 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, two steals, and three assists. Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) and Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) each chipped in six rebounds, with Atty blocking one shot and Lagase scoring six points. 

Utica opened the contest strong with Lagase scoring the first basket of the game on a mid-range jumper. Simmons quickly followed with a fast-break layup after a block on the defensive end. The Pioneers capitalized on turnovers early, with Godkin stealing the ball and assisting Simmons for a three-pointer, putting Utica up 9-6. However, St. John Fisher answered back with a layup, tying the game. Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) led the Pioneers' offense late in the quarter, scoring on back-to-back possessions in the paint, helping Utica build an 8-point lead. The Cardinals closed the quarter with a layup, trimming the Pioneer lead to 22-16.

In the second stanza, the Cardinals regained their footing, starting the quarter with a 7-0 run fueled by Tomasso's three-point shooting. Despite Utica's efforts to control the paint, including a strong rebounding effort from Cornell, Fisher's defense forced multiple turnovers, converting them into transition points. Godkin broke the Pioneers' scoring drought with a corner three, narrowing the deficit to two. However, Tomasso continued to find success, adding six points in the final minutes of the half. Utica headed into halftime trailing 33-28, as St. John Fisher capitalized on their second-chance opportunities. 

Coming out of the break, both teams struggled to score early in the third, but McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) tied the game at 33 with a clutch three-pointer two minutes into the quarter. The Cardinals then went on a decisive 12-3 run, sparked by Katie Moravec's layups and assists, extending their lead to 45-36. Cornell responded with a jump shot and a block on the defensive end to slow the Cardinals' momentum. However, St. John Fisher continued to find open looks, finishing the quarter ahead 53-42.

The final frame saw St. John Fisher assert their dominance. Despite a quick layup from Simmons to cut the deficit to single digits, the Cardinals unleashed a 10-0 run extending their lead to 18. Utica's attempts to rally were thwarted by turnovers and missed opportunities, while the Cardinals closed the game strong, walking away with the win by a score of 75-57.

Utica (2-10, 0-3 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, January 14 as the team travels to take on conference newcomer SUNY Geneseo. Tip off from Geneseo, NY is set for 5:30pm.