UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team opened the new year on the right foot, collecting a 57-49 win over William Smith in the team's final non-conference matchup on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who led the team with 21 points (9-15 FG, 3-5 3pt), followed by McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) with 14 points (4-12 FG, 1-4 3pt, 5-6 FT), and Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) with 10 (1-7 FG, 1-6 3pt, 7-8 FT). Leading the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers was Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) who managed a team high 11 boards, while Hall and Simmons brought in nine and eight, respectively. Defensively, Hall and Simmons each managed three steals a piece, while Simmons and Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) each tallied a pair of blocks.
Utica opened the game with disruptive pressure and after a brief back-and-forth start, Utica began to win the paint touches. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) scored the first field goal on a layup, Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) answered a William Smith three with an attacking finish, and Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) stayed active on the glass. Cornell's tip-in midway through the quarter was a momentum play, and Hall punctuated the closing stretch with a made three and another strong take to keep Utica in front. Even with a few missed looks late, Utica's defense and rebounding presence helped the Pioneers take a 13-11 lead after one.
Utica's depth and composure showed early in the second as the Pioneers extended the lead at the free-throw line with Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) knocking down two from the stripe, and Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) followed with a jumper to keep Utica's offense steady. William Smith answered with buckets to pull even, but Utica responded with timely execution. Cornell finished inside off a clean look, Atty drilled a three to stop the run, and the Pioneers kept forcing mistakes with ball pressure. William Smith made one more push, late in the second quarter, and was able to take a 28-26 advantage going into the halftime break.
Utica came out of halftime looking to assert control, and Hall delivered immediately by finishing at the rim and then burying another three to stretch the lead. The Pioneers stayed connected defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting second chances, while continuing to attack downhill. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) hit a timely three to keep Utica's cushion safe as William Smith tried to answer from the perimeter. The Pioneers' shot-making and defensive activity kept the momentum on Utica's side, and Utica carried a 47-39 lead into the fourth after winning the third-quarter battle.\
Utica closed with poise. Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) got to the line and converted, keeping William Smith at arm's length, and Cornell's activity around the rim produced another huge tip-in to maintain a double-digit edge. The Pioneers continued to force turnovers and turn them into points, then sealed the game at the stripe as McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) and Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) knocked down late free throws to stop any last surge. With disciplined defense and steady execution in the final minute, Utica finished the job and secured the 57-49 win.
Utica (4-5, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, January 6 as the team opens conference play against the Russell Sage College Gators. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 5:30pm.
