PLATTSBURGH, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team secured its first win of the season in a double overtime thriller over the SUNY Potsdam Bears by a score of 86-84 on Friday evening. The win served as Head Coach Allison Coleman's first win as head of the Pioneers.
Four Pioneers finished in double scoring figures in Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) (26pts, 9-24 FG, 2-9 3PT, 6-6 FT), McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) (15pts, 5-13 FG, 2-6 3PT, 3-8 FT), Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) (15pts, 4-6 FG, 3-5 3PT, 4-6 FT), and freshman Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) (14pts, 5-6 FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-6 FT). Bell led the Pioneers' rebounding efforts with a team high eight rebounds, followed by Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) with seven, and Atty with six. Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) was also able to make plays, dishing out a team high nine assists, followed by Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) with four. On defense, McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) posted a team high six steals, while a trio of Pioneers in Cornell, Bell, and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) each recorded a block.
Utica fell behind 5–2 early but ripped off a huge first-quarter run. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) hit a three and Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) knocked down back-to-back threes as the Pioneers closed the period on a 21–6 surge to lead 23–13 after one. In the second quarter, Potsdam opened with a 5–0 spurt to cut it to 23–18, but Utica answered behind Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central), Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) and Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons), pushing the margin back out and taking a 40–31 lead into halftime.
Potsdam climbed back into it in the third by pounding the offensive glass and scoring in the paint. The Bears repeatedly cut the deficit to one or two possessions, but late free throws from Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) and Atty plus a Bell layup kept Utica in front 56–50 heading to the fourth.
The fourth quarter was a thriller. Utica led by as many as six at 63–57 after a Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) three, but Potsdam answered with a run to tie it 65–65. In the final two minutes, Utica went up 68–65 on a Bell free throw and Hall put-back, then 71–68 after a Simmons free throw with 21 seconds left. Potsdam answered with a jumper and, after more free throws from Simmons, a tying layup with four seconds remaining to force overtime at 72–72.
In the first overtime, Potsdam struck first and eventually went up 78–74 on a layup in the opening minute. Bell finished at the rim to make it 78–76, and Atty stepped to the line and calmly hit two free throws with 20 seconds remaining to tie it again, with Potsdam missing a buzzer-beater to send it to a second extra session.
The second overtime belonged to Hall and Bell. Potsdam grabbed an 80–78 lead on a layup, but Bell's free throw and a Hall tip-in kept Utica within one at 82–81. With under a minute to go, Hall buried a three to push Utica ahead 84–82, then added two free throws with 21 seconds left for an 86–82 cushion. Potsdam's Alcock answered with two free throws to make it 86–84, but Utica got one last defensive stand as the Bears' final shot missed and the Pioneers walked away with the double-overtime win.
Utica (1-1, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, November 15 as the team takes on the Cardinal Classic host Plattsburgh State. Tip off is set from Plattsburgh, NY for 1pm.
