UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set for a three game homestand this week. The team will take on cross town rival and Empire 8 Conference newcomer SUNY Poly on Tuesday, January 28 at 5:30pm on Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center. The team will then take on St. John Fisher on Friday, January 31 at 5:30pm before taking on Nazareth on Saturday, February 1 at 2pm. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for all three games can be found here, and live stats can be found here. 
 
Last Time Out: The Utica University women's basketball team fell in a nail-biting conference contest to the Russell Sage College Gators on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers fell to the Gators by a score of 58-57. Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central) who notched 19 points with eight rebounds and three assists. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) finished with a double-double, 11 points, 10 rebounds, as well as three assists and a team high six steals. Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) chipped in with nine points and three assists with two steals, and Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) hauled in 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Kate Mahoney (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) added three assists and three steals, while Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) each nabbed a steal of their own. 
 
Simmons Says: McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) put together a pair of fantastic outings for the Pioneers last week. Simmons totaled 36 points in two games for an average of 18 points per game. As a shooter, Simmons was good for 33 percent from the floor, and 33 percent from three point range. She was also 12-14 from the free throw line. As a rebounder, Simmons hauled in 17 rebounds, seven offensive and 10 defensive. Simmons was also able to spread the wealth and get the offense going, dishing out seven assists. She was also a thorn in the sides of offenses, recording nine steals in two games. Against Hartwick, Simmons was good for a season high 25 points on 47 percent shooting from the floor, and 50 percent shooting from three point range. She was able to haul in seven rebounds, with four assists and three steals. Against Sage, Simmons put up 11 points, with 10 total rebounds, three assists, and six steals
 
Breaking Out: Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) has been a staple in the Pioneer offense this season. Lagase currently holds the third spot on the team leaderboard in scoring with over 100 total points this season. She's been one of the team's top three point shooters, with over 32 percent of her attempts resulting in made baskets. As a rebounder, Lagase is averaging just under six total rebounds per game. Lagase has also been a playmaker, dishing out a total of 32 assists this season. 
 
Scouting SUNY Poly: The Empire 8 Conference newcomer, SUNY Poly Wildcats are 2-14 on the season so far and are 1-7 in conference play. Alyssa Jackson is the team's leading scorer, averaging just over 10 points per game. Jackson has also been able to spread the wealth, dishing out 35 total assists this season. From outside, the team's leading threat is Hannah Shipley, who is averaging 3.9 three point field goal attempts per game. Sanaa Lee is the team's leading rebounder, averaging over 7.5 total rebounds per game. Lee has also been a stout defender, with a team high 43 total blocked shots this season. Kelsey Meca has been a thorn in the sides of offenses, with a team high 26 total steals. All time against the Wildcats, the Pioneers are 25-15, while being 13-6 at home. Last season, the Pioneers took the matchup by a score of 50-45. 
 
A Look at Fisher: The st. John Fisher Cardinals are 13-4 on the season, and are a perfect 8-0 in conference play. Sidney Tomasso is the team's leading scorer, averaging just under 20 points per game. Tomasso is the team's leading three point shooter, shooting over 37.5 percent from outside. Tomasso is also the team's leading rebounder, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game. Katie Moravec is the team's best shooter from inside, shooting 49 percent from the floor. Moravec has been able to get the Cardinal offense going, dishing out a team high 69 assists this season. Moravec also holds the team crown in steals with 34. Alexa Gibson has been the team's top defender, registering 10 blocked shots this season. 
 
Breaking Down Nazareth: The Nazareth University Golden Flyers are 14-3 on the season, and are also a perfect 8-0 in conference play. Sarina McDowell is currently the team's leading scorer, with 203 total points for an average of 11.9 points per game. From outside, the team's top threat has been Madalyn Kelly who has shot over 40 percent from three point range this season. Kiara Anglin has been the team's leading rebounder, averaging 7.1 total rebounds per game. Anglin also holds the team lead in steals with 38. Katie MacLachlan has been able to get the Golden Flyer offense going, with 59 total assists this season. Molly Benetti has been a stout defender for the Golden Flyers, registering 36 total blocked shots this season. 

Up Next: The team continues conference play by traveling to take on the Hartwick College Hawks. Tip off from Oneonta, NY on Friday, February 7 is set for 5:30pm.