UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set to host Norwich University in a non-conference bout before the Thanksgiving break. Tip off on Tuesday, November 22 is set for 1pm from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center.
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video can be found
here, and live stats
here.
Last Time Out: The team took the consolation matchup of the Westfield Gas and Electric Tournament against Mitchell College by a score of 68-43 on Saturday afternoon. Leading the way for the Pioneers was
Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who put together a 21 point outing (9-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 1-2 FT) with six rebounds, an assist, and a pair of steals.
Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) helped Hall lead the rebounding efforts, with six rebounds, alongside
Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) and
Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) who each hauled in five. Five Pioneers managed to dish out a team high three assists in LaDuke,
Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer),
Destiny Herring (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle),
Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville), and
Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes). Defensively, three Pioneers managed a pair of steals each in Hall, LaDuke, and Godkin, while Godkin also managed a block.
Pioneer Athlete of the Week: McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) had a stellar start in the Pioneers' first round matchup during this past weekend's Westfield State Tournament. The team's senior leader scored 24 points, also shooting 5-11 from downtown as she let loose a barrage of long shots on the hosting Owls. Simmons had a complete outing, grabbing four rebounds, dishing out two assists, and securing two steals in her 29 minutes of on-court action.
Offensive Prowess: Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) powered the Pioneer offense in her pair of outings last week, averaging 15.5 points per game on .467 shooting from the floor with 12 rebounds, four assists, a pair of steals, and a block. Against Westfield State, Hall was good for double digit scoring with six boards and three assists, as well as registering a block. Against Mitchell College, Hall was good for 21 points on .563 shooting from the floor, while also going 2-4 from three point range. Hall also managed six boards with an assist, and a pair of steals.
Rookie Recap: A pair of Pioneers managed to put together incredible defensive outings for the Pioneers last week in
Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) and
Destiny Herring (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle). LaDuke averaged 10 rebounds per game, while managing to dish out a total of seven assists, with a total of four steals. Against Westfield State, LaDuke managed 15 rebounds, 12 of which were defensive, with four assists, and a pair of steals. Against Mitchell College, LaDuke managed five rebounds, all defensive, with three assists and a pair of steals. Herring totaled 13 rebounds while also managing to dish out eight assists with three steals over the course of the weekend.
Scouting Norwich: The Norwich University Cadets have posted a 3-2 on the season so far. As a team, the Cadets have managed to keep a close game, outscoring opponents by only two points per game this season. Leading the offensive charge for the Cadets has been Gracie Laster and Kiley O'Brien. Laster has posted a team leading 15.2 points per game on the season, while managing to shoot .530 from the floor. O'Brien has managed 12 points per game on .450 shooting from the floor. Cassidy Kittredge leads the rebounding force for the Cadets, averaging just under 6.5 rebounds per game with a total of 32 on the season. Maggi Ellswoth and Lily Briggs have been able to make the most plays, each dishing out a team leading 14 assists. Defensively, Briggs leads the team in steals with a total of 14, while Kittredge leads the team with a total of five blocks.
Up Next: Following the Thanksgiving break, the Pioneers will travel to take on the RPI Engineers. Tip off from Troy, NY on Monday, December 1 is set for 5:00pm.
