ALFRED, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell in overtime to the Alfred University Saxons by a score of 78-76 on Saturday afternoon. 

Four Pioneers finished in double scoring figures led by Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) with 22 points (7-15 FG, 203 3pt, 8-8 FT), followed by McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) with 18 points (6-16 FG, 3-8 3pt, 3-4 FT), Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) (13 pts, 5-13 FG, 3-4 FT), and Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) (12pts, 5-8 FG, 2-4 3pt). Simmons managed her second consecutive double double with a team leading 11 rebounds, while Cornell hauled in eight and Atty seven. Defensively, Simmons led the way with a pair of steals, while Atty, Hall, and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) each nabbed one. 

Utica weathered an early back-and-forth opening quarter, answering Alfred's first basket with a Hall three before Hall added another pair of points at the line to give the Pioneers a brief edge. After Alfred tied the game at eight, Utica closed the quarter on a decisive 14-3 run, highlighted by a Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) jumper, interior finishes from Hall, and late threes from Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) and McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) to take a 22–11 lead into the second.

The Saxons chipped away in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to four midway through the period, but Utica consistently responded. Cornell scored inside, Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) added a jumper and fast-break layup, and Hall continued to attack the paint as the Pioneers maintained control. Despite Alfred closing strong late in the quarter, Utica carried a 36–32 advantage into halftime.

Utica seized momentum immediately coming out of halftime. Simmons opened the third with a layup and a free throw, then buried a three to help push the lead to double digits. Hall followed with a finish in the paint as the Pioneers stretched the margin to 44–34. After Alfred briefly responded at the line, Utica continued to attack inside, with Hall scoring again before Atty and Simmons converted key baskets to extend the advantage to 50–37 midway through the period. Alfred closed the quarter with a small run, but Simmons capped the frame with a pair of free throws as Utica entered the fourth quarter holding a 57–49 lead.

The fourth quarter was tightly contested throughout. Utica pushed the lead to as many as seven behind another Cornell inside finish, but Alfred responded with timely shooting and interior baskets to erase the margin. The Saxons tied the game at 67 in the final seconds, sending the contest to overtime.

In the extra period, the teams traded leads repeatedly. Atty drilled a go-ahead three, Cornell finished inside, and Hall converted key free throws to keep Utica within striking distance. However, Alfred capitalized late with a pair of transition baskets and a three in the final minute to seal a 78–76 decision, despite a last interior score from Cornell and a final defensive stand by the Pioneers. 

Utica (4-8, 0-3 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, January 13 as the team travels to take on the Hartwick College Hawks. Tip off from Oneonta, NY is set for 5:30pm.