UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell 75-58 in their first Empire 8 game against the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles on Tuesday evening.
 
Point leaders: Utica was led by Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes), who recorded 11 points, nine boards, one assist and one steal. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Hayleigh Lagase (Wallingford, CT/Mark T. Sheehan) notched 10 points and nine rebounds while going three-for-eight from three.
 
The Pioneers and Golden Eagles were all tied up 8-8 through eight minutes of action in the first quarter. Both teams played tight defense, not allowing easy baskets in the paint or around the perimeter. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) scored Utica's first five points, giving the Pioneers a huge momentum boost on offense and defense. Brockport answered with baskets of their own from Mandy Brink and Peyton Maneri. The Golden Eagles put their fullcourt press on, forcing two consecutive turnovers, but Utica responded moments later with a basket from Cornell and Godkin. Brockport would finish the first quarter up 15-12.
 
The Golden Eagles opened the second quarter on a 6-0 scoring run. Cornell answered for Utica with a layup, cutting the lead to 21-14 with 8 minutes left. The Brockport offense would be too much as the team entered the second half up, 44-24.
 
Godkin opened the third quarter for Utica with a jumper, cutting the lead to 20 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Jean-Baptiste hit two consecutive baskets for the Golden Eagles, followed by a jumper from Cornell, which made it a 51-28 game with just under seven minutes to play. Godkin made multiple plays under the hoop, leading to two free throws, giving her 11 points. Just under six minutes remaining, Atty made a great steal, which led to a Cozzens layup.
 
Both teams combined for 14 points in the first six minutes of action in the fourth, eight for Brockport and six for Utica. The Pioneers battled the whole quarter, outscoring Brockport 19-14 in the quarter. The Golden Eagles would go on to win 75-58.
 
Utica (2-8, 0-1 Empire 8) travels to Nazareth University for conference play on Friday, January 10 at 5:30 p.m.