UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team was unable to stave off a fourth quarter comeback by the Elmira College Soaring Eagles, falling to the visitors by a score of 48-44 on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who managed 20 points on the afternoon (6-17 FG, 3-7 3pt, 5-5 FT), followed by McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) with eight (3-11 FG, 2-2 FT), and both Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) (1-7 FG, 4-6 FT) and Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) (2-4 FG, 1-3 3pt, 1-2 FT), who each chipped in six points. Cornell paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers, hauling down a team leading 10, while Hall followed with seven, and Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) brought down six. Defensively, Simmons led the way with three steals, Hall swiped away two, and both Cornell and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) swiped one. Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) landed the team's only block.
Utica settled in early after an initial miss, getting on the board with a jumper from Simmons before trading baskets with Elmira through the opening minutes. Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) and Simmons helped keep the Pioneers steady on both ends, with Simmons generating multiple steals and assists. Elmira briefly grabbed momentum, but Utica answered with inside scoring from Simmons and Hall. A late push highlighted by Hall's tip-in and a Cornell layup in the final minute gave the Pioneers a 13–9 edge after one.
The Pioneers stretched the lead behind Hall's shooting touch and steady ball movement from Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville). Utica knocked down multiple threes and controlled the defensive glass, pushing the advantage to double digits midway through the quarter. Elmira fought back with points in the paint and second-chance opportunities, but Utica consistently answered, including a three and free throws from Hall. The Pioneers carried a 23–15 lead into halftime, using balanced scoring and defensive pressure to dictate the pace.
Elmira made its strongest run of the night coming out of the break, trimming the lead behind aggressive drives and improved rebounding. Utica responded with timely shooting — including a Marusic three, and continued to generate points at the line through Cornell and Hall. Despite Elmira closing the gap to just a few possessions at times, Utica maintained control late in the quarter, entering the final period up 32–29.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Elmira briefly pulled even and then took a late lead, but Utica responded with clutch execution. Simmons sparked a key fast-break sequence, while Hall delivered at the line in the closing seconds. Despite multiple late turnovers, the Pioneers continued to create opportunities, but Elmira converted in the final moments to secure the 48–44 decision.
Utica (6-11, 2-6 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, January 27 as the team travels for its first cross-town clash of the season, taking on SUNY Poly. Tip off from Utica, NY is set for 5:30pm.
