PLATTSBURGH, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the Cardinal Classic hosts, Plattsburgh State by a score of 71-50 on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) who finished the afternoon with 16 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3PT, 5-5 FT), and Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) with 15 points (5-13FG, 5-5 FT). Hall led the Pioneers' rebounding efforts with a team high seven rebounds, while Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) registered six, followed by the trio of Simmons, Jaya Bell, and Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) with four each. Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) got herself in on the offensive action with a pair of assists, while Simmons was able to get in defensively with a team high three steals.
After an early 5–0 hole, Utica found its footing with a tough jumper from Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) to get on the board. Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) came off the bench and immediately changed the tempo with two attacking layups in the paint, pulling Utica within one. Defensively, the Pioneers forced empty trips and limited Plattsburgh to one shot. In the final seconds, McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) grabbed her own miss and tipped it back in, giving Utica an 11–10 lead after one, closing the quarter on an 11–5 response.
Plattsburgh opened the second frame with another three, but Utica kept battling inside. Simmons and Bell continued to be effective going downhill, and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) added a layup and trips to the line as Utica kept it within one possession multiple times. Even as Plattsburgh hit a handful of perimeter shots to create separation, Utica stayed within striking distance, trailing 31–24 at the half.
Coming out of the locker room, Utica created early chances but couldn't quite cash them in, and a brief turnover stretch turned into Plattsburgh runouts. Simmons answered with a strong drive and finish, and then knocked down a three to pull the Pioneers back to 42–30. Utica continued to compete on the glass and get to the paint, but a few empty offensive trips let Plattsburgh push the margin to 49–30 after three.
Utica opened the fourth with one of its best stretches of the afternoon. Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) took over early in the frame, crashing the glass for back-to-back tip-ins and then finishing through contact for a three-point play as the Pioneers cut into the deficit. Utica kept attacking, with Hall earning more trips to the line and Atty drilling a wing three to make it 56–42. Down the stretch, the Pioneers' bench continued to compete as Jaida Larsen (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) knocked down free throws and Marlie Macek sliced in for a late layup before time ran out on the comeback effort in a 71–50 final.
Utica (1-2, 0-0 Empire 8) turns its attention to the Westfield State Tournament, hosted by Westfield State, next weekend. Tip off of game one against the host Westfield State is set for 5:30pm on Friday, November 12 from Westfield, MA.
