UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team took down the visiting Keuka College Wolves by a score of 62-53 on Friday evening. 
 
Three Pioneers finished in double figures scoring in Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who led the way with 22 points (6-17 FG, 1-6 3pt, 7-10 FT), followed by McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) (7-14 FG, 1-6 3pt, 2-2 Ft) and Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) (6-9 FG, 4-5 3pt, 1-2 FT) who each chipped in 17 points on the evening. Hall paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with 11 for her third double-double of the season, followed by Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) with six and both Marusic and Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) with four apiece. Defensively, Simmons led the way with three steals, while Hall managed the team's only block. 
 
Utica struck first as Simmons finished in the paint less than 15 seconds in, but Keuka answered with a strong response. The Wolves briefly took control behind a pair of baskets opening up a five-point edge midway through the quarter. The Pioneers settled in defensively and clawed back late, with Simmons knocking down a three and Hall scoring twice in the paint to swing momentum. A Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) free throw gave Utica a brief edge, but Keuka evened the score on a layup in the final seconds, sending the game to the break tied at 12–12.
 
Keuka opened the quarter with a quick fast-break sequence to grab the lead, but Utica responded immediately as Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) buried a three to tie the game. The Wolves built a seven-point cushion midway through the period, but Utica answered at the line, with Hall repeatedly getting to the stripe in the final two minutes to keep the Pioneers within striking distance. A late Keuka three extended the margin, but Marusic closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating triple to pull Utica within four, 26–22, at halftime.
 
Utica came out with purpose after the break. Marusic scored early to trim the deficit, then knocked down a pair of  threes to give the Pioneers their first lead since the opening quarter. Hall followed with a three of her own, and Utica continued to build separation with strong interior play from Simmons and Marusic. Despite Keuka briefly tying the game, the Pioneers closed the quarter on a surge, pushing the lead to eight behind efficient ball movement and timely scoring. Utica entered the fourth quarter in control, up 47–39.
 
Keuka made one final push early, trimming the deficit to three, but Utica responded decisively. Marusic drilled another three, Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) finished inside, and Simmons converted multiple trips to the line to restore breathing room. The Pioneers continued to execute down the stretch, with Hall and Simmons scoring in the paint and forcing turnovers defensively. Utica steadily extended the margin in the final minutes and closed out a composed fourth quarter to secure a 62–53 victory.
 
Utica (6-10, 2-5 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, January 24 as the team hosts Elmira College. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 2pm.