UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set for a week-long road trip. The team will travel for the first cross-town clash of the season this week, taking on SUNY Poly on Tuesday, January 27 with a tip-off set for 5:30pm. The team will then head west to take on Nazareth University on Friday, January 30 beginning at 5:30pm, before taking on St. John Fisher on Saturday, January 31 with a tip set for 2pm.
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for Tuesday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Friday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Saturday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here.
Last Time Out: The 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.
Rookie of the Week: Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) has been named this week's Empire 8 Rookie of the Week, as announced by the league on Monday. Marusic opened the week with a strong performance in Utica's 62–53 home win over Keuka, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, providing an immediate scoring boost and played an important role in Utica's offensive success. Across two games, Marusic averaged 11.5 points per game while shooting 61.5 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from three-point range, going 5-8 overall from three.
Pair of Playmakers: Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) and Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) continue to play important roles for the Pioneers on both ends of the floor. Atty serves as the engine of the Pioneers' offense, leading the team with 43 assists, consistently creating opportunities for others, particularly in transition and drive-and-kick situations. She also contributes defensively on the perimeter, using her quickness to disrupt passing lanes and help Utica generate extra possessions with 11 steals this season. In the paint, Cornell provides a physical, reliable presence, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game and pacing the team with 39 offensive boards. Her ability to battle inside extends possessions and creates second-chance scoring opportunities, while her defensive work and shot blocking add an interior anchor to the lineup.
Breaking Down Poly: SUNY Poly enters the matchup at 4–12 overall and 1–7 in Empire 8 play, leaning heavily on guard Alysa Jackson, who leads the Wildcats with 14.9 points per game while also pacing the team in minutes and steals. Jackson is joined by Alivia Turk, Poly's top perimeter shooter at 36.8 percent from three, and Bryanna Lucas, who contributes 7.3 points per game while serving as a secondary ball handler. Inside, Sanaa Lee anchors the paint, averaging a team-best 8.6 rebounds per game and ranking among conference leaders with 53 blocks on the season. As a team, Poly averages 10.2 steals and 5.1 blocks per game, relying on defensive pressure to generate offense, but has struggled with efficiency, shooting 31.5 percent from the field and averaging 49.8 points per contest.
A Look at Naz: Nazareth enters the matchup as one of the top teams in the Empire 8, posting a 13–4 overall record and a 7–1 conference mark, while averaging nearly 70 points per game. The Golden Flyers feature a balanced attack led by Molly Benetti (13.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG), who also ranks among the conference leaders in blocks, and Katie MacLachlan, who adds 12.9 points per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three. Nazareth's frontcourt presence is anchored by Kiara Anglin, the team's leading rebounder at 7.6 boards per game, while Sarina McDowell provides efficient scoring inside at 50.0 percent shooting. As a team, Nazareth shoots 43.1 percent from the field, averages 17.2 assists per game, and owns a +3.6 rebounding margin, making ball movement and interior efficiency key components of its success.
Scouting Fisher: St. John Fisher enters the matchup at 8–9 overall and 5–3 in Empire 8 play, leaning on a balanced scoring attack and strong work on the glass. Presleigh Brunner leads the Cardinals at 14.4 points per game, while also averaging 6.1 rebounds and logging heavy minutes as a primary scoring option. Hannah Ferguson adds 12.2 points per game, shooting an efficient 49.4 percent from the field and 41.8 percent from three, while also pacing the team on the boards at 6.2 rebounds per contest. Fisher controls the interior with a +4.8 rebounding margin, averaging 42.4 rebounds per game, and shoots 29.9 percent from three as a team, using balanced scoring and physical play to stay competitive throughout conference action.
Up Next: The team returns home on Friday, February 6 to take on Alfred University. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 5:30pm.
