UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set for a weekend homestand this week. On Friday, January 23 the team will host Keuka College, with a tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center set for 5:30pm, before hosting Elmira College on Saturday, January 24 with a tip off set for 2pm. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for both contests can be found here, and live stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team fell to the SUNY Geneseo Knights by a score of 64-27 on Saturday afternoon. Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) led with six points (2-7 FG, 2-6 3pt), followed by Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) with five (1-5 FG, 1-5 3pt, 2-2 FT), and both Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) (1-6 FG, 2-2 FT) and Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) (2-3 FG) each with four. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) led the team in rebounding with six, followed by Hall with five, and Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) with four. Defensively, Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) and LaDuke each managed a pair of steals, while Cornell registered the team's only block.
 
Freshman Standouts: Utica's freshman class has emerged as a dependable part of the rotation, contributing meaningful minutes and clearly defined roles as the season has progressed. Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) has been a fixture in the starting lineup, starting all 15 games and averaging 22.0 minutes per contest. Tasked with handling the ball and setting the tone defensively, she has consistently drawn tough matchups while contributing across the stat sheet with assists, rebounds, and defensive pressure. Off the bench, Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) has delivered efficient scoring when called upon, shooting 41.7 percent from the field and from beyond the arc. Her ability to stretch the floor has given Utica a valuable offensive option, highlighted by a season-best 14-point outing against SUNY Potsdam and multiple games with made threes in limited minutes. Providing energy and defensive toughness, Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) has appeared in all 15 games and leads the freshman group with 19 steals while averaging 3.8 rebounds per game. Her activity on the glass and in passing lanes has helped Utica generate extra possessions and maintain defensive intensity, particularly in transition. Together, the freshmen have added balance, effort, and stability as the Pioneers continue to navigate conference play.
 
Still in Business: Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) has been remaining steady on the Empire 8 leaderboards. In overall scoring, the junior finds herself in second, averaging 18.5 points per game. Hall has accumulated the most points in the league this season with a total of 278, on a second place 101 total field goals made, and a conference leading 54 made free throws. Hall ranks as one of the top shooters in the conference, registering a .468 shooting percentage from the field. In conference games this season, Hall has averaged over 18 points per game, shooting .529 from the field with a total of 39 made field goals. 
 
A Look at Keuka: Keuka enters the matchup with a 6–8 overall record and a 1–5 mark in Empire 8 play, leaning heavily on a small core of high-minute contributors while continuing to search for consistency on both ends of the floor. The Wolves average 59.5 points per game, but have been outscored by opponents by 4.7 points per contest, with that margin growing to –15.3 points per game in conference play. As a team, Keuka shoots .349 from the field and .269 from three, ranking on the lower end offensively in the league. The Wolves do generate perimeter attempts (5.2 threes made per game), but efficiency has been inconsistent, particularly in conference action where their three-point percentage dips to .218. Keuka's offense is paced by Mary Cotter, who leads the team at 12.0 points per game, shouldering a high usage rate shooting .339 from the field and .286 from three. Lillian Mullen (10.9 ppg) provides a secondary scoring option and is the Wolves' most reliable free-throw shooter at .841, while Brooke Burd adds a strong interior presence, averaging 10.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Rebounding is one of Keuka's strengths, averaging 41.6 boards per game, led by Burd and Emilee Bacon (7.4 rpg). Burd is especially impactful defensively and protects the rim well, helping Keuka average 4.6 blocks per game, a notable strength compared to league opponents. However, Keuka has been outrebounded in conference play by more than eight boards per game, which has limited second-chance opportunities. Keuka's offensive flow can stall due to turnovers, averaging 16.9 per game overall with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.6. Pressure defense has caused issues, especially against Empire 8 opponents who force nearly four more turnovers per game than Keuka generates defensively. Defensively, Keuka allows 64.2 points per game, with opponents shooting .377 from the field. The Wolves do a solid job contesting the perimeter, holding teams to .214 from three, but have struggled defending in transition, particularly in the first half, where opponents have consistently built early leads
 
Scouting Elmira: Elmira enters the matchup with a 7–8 overall record and a 2–4 mark in Empire 8 play, averaging 58.9 points per game and own a +1.7 scoring margin overall, though conference play has been more competitive, with several tight results against league opponents. Elmira's offense is led by Emma Ryan, the team's top scorer at 13.4 points per game, who combines efficient shooting (.449 FG) with the ability to score at all three levels. Amarionah Dixon is the engine of the lineup, averaging 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, providing consistent interior production while also facilitating offense (38 assists). Perimeter shooting is a major component of Elmira's identity. The Soaring Eagles knock down 6.5 three-pointers per game and shoot .311 from beyond the arc, with Mallory Welty and Mia Welty leading the way. Rebounding is a clear strength for Elmira. The Soaring Eagles average 41.6 rebounds per game and hold a +7.5 rebounding margin, one of the stronger marks in the league. Dixon anchors the glass allowing Elmira to limit opponent second chances. The Soaring Eagles also average 20.9 turnovers per contest, resulting in a –4.5 turnover margin. While their passing creates open looks, opponents that apply sustained pressure have been able to generate transition opportunities. Defensively, Elmira holds opponents to 57.1 points per game and .346 shooting from the field, doing a solid job contesting shots and protecting the paint. The Soaring Eagles are active defensively, averaging 9.3 steals and 3.1 blocks per game. In conference play, Elmira's defensive efficiency has dipped slightly, with opponents building early leads that have forced the Soaring Eagles to play from behind. 
 
Up Next: The team will take on its first cross-town clash of the season, making the short trip to take on SUNY Poly. Tip off on Tuesday, January 27 is set for 5:30 from the Campus Center Gym.