UTICA, NY - The Pioneers took on Russell Sage this weekend as they honored their seniors and hoped to bounce back from a tough loss the previous night. Despite an impressive 21-point performance from Forward Vanessa Hall (Whitesville, NY/Whitesville Central), Utica fell short losing the game 73-60.
 
On top of scoring 21 points, Hall shot a perfect 9-9 from the line and logged six rebounds. While Hall dominated the paint, Sage's Layla Acosta dominated the back-court, scoring 26 points and leading the charge for the Gators. 
 
Senior forward McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) registered nine rebounds, two steals and went 4-5 from the line. Junior guard Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) hit two three pointers and dished out three assists on the night. 
 
Sage opened up scoring just 30 seconds into the game with a free throw from Acosta. The Pioneers were quick to answer thanks to a layup from Senior Kelsey McCaskill (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). With four minutes remaining in the first quarter, Simmons was able to grab an offensive rebound and put it back up for a layup, while drawing the foul. Simmons converted on the free throw giving the Pioneers a five point lead. At the end of the first quarter, Utica led 18-16. The Pioneers shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter with Simmons leading the offense, scoring five points.
 
Sage opened up scoring in the second quarter when Kallie Hopkins was able to drive to the paint and score the contested layup. Four minutes into the second, the Gators gained some momentum after a corner three. Sage was then able to pick off the inbound pass and score, giving them a 12 point lead and forcing the Pioneers to slow the game down with a time-out.  The first half ended with a score of 43-30 in favor of Sage. Acosta led the Gators in the first two quarters scoring 11 points, with seven of them coming from free throws. Utica Center Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) led the Pioneers in scoring going 2-2 from the field and scoring eight points. Utica ended the half shooting 40 percent from the field and shooting a perfect 5-5 from the line. 
 
The Pioneers opened up the scoring in the third quarter thanks to a pair of free throws from Simmons. In their next possession, Atty hit a three from the wing, bringing the deficit to 10 points. With five minutes left to go in the quarter, Hall hit a big three bringing the Pioneers within eight points of the Gators. In Utica's next possession, Hall drew a shooting foul and converted on both free throws, making her 4-4 from the line. Hall was not done there as she found the ball on the wing and hit another three-pointer bringing the scoreline to 48-45 Sage. Utica outscored Sage 19-9 in the third quarter, logging 13 team rebounds and remaining 100 percent from the line. 
 
Sage opened up scoring in the fourth quarter with two free throws from senior guard Malena Gereau. Sage was able to pull away making the score 67-52 with five minutes to go in the fourth thanks to a pair of three-pointers from Acosta. Hall continued her notable performance drawing another shooting foul and netting both free throws yet again with four minutes to go. Due to the Gators consistent shooting, the Pioneers could not close the gap. The game ended with a score of 73-60 in favor of Sage.
 
The Pioneers will be away next weekend as they face off against Elmira College on Friday, February 14. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.