UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team is set to open conference play with a three game week. The team will host the Russell Sage College Gators on Tuesday, January 6 with a tip off set for 5:30pm from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center. The team will then travel to take on the Houghton University Highlanders on Friday, January 9 at 5:30pm, before continuing the road trip against the Alfred University Saxons on Saturday, January 10 at 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 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. 
 
Player of the Week: Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) powered the Pioneers with a dominant all-around performance, posting 21 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in Utica's lone contest of the week. Hall delivered her standout showing in the Pioneers' final non-conference matchup against William Smith, finishing with a game-high 21 points on an efficient 9-for-15 shooting performance, including 3-of-5 from three-point range (.600). In addition to her scoring efficiency, Hall controlled the glass with nine rebounds and was a constant presence on the defensive end, recording three steals while committing zero turnovers in nearly 36 minutes of action.
 
Where We Stand: With non-conference play coming to a close, the Pioneers find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Empire 8 standings. Offensively the Pioneers are averaging 58.6 points per game, but remain competitive off the glass with a +1.89 rebounding margin. Utica ranks third in the Empire 8 at the free throw line, converting .699 percent of the team's free throws, proving notable strength in close games and late game scenarios. Defensively, despite allowing 64.4 points per game, the Pioneers have been able to hold opponents to just .269 from three point range, which is one of the lowest marks in the conference. Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) ranks third in the Empire 8 in scoring at 18.4 points per game, while also sitting just outside the top 10 in the league in field goal percentage at .438 and sixth in free throw percentage at .765. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) is among the conference leaders defensively, ranking top 10 in steals with 2.3 per game, while also contributing 12.8 points per contest on the offensive end.
 
Scouting Sage: The Russell Sage Gators have opened the season with a 5–4 overall record, holding opponents to just 62.3 points per game while posting a +2.0 scoring margin through nine contests. Leading the Gators' offensive attack is Layla Acosta, who averages a team-high 19.3 points per game while shooting .450 from the field. She is joined in the scoring column by Kallie Hopkins, who contributes 12.0 points per game, with Kyla Smith (9.2 ppg) and Jaileen Soto (9.1 ppg) providing additional balance in the lineup. Miranda Price has been Sage's most efficient shooter, connecting on .500 from the floor and an impressive .615 from three-point range in limited action, while Smith (.378) and Acosta (.370) also stretch defenses from the perimeter. On the glass, Hopkins anchors the rebounding effort with a team-best 10.6 rebounds per game, followed by Smith (6.3 rpg) and Soto (6.2 rpg). Defensively, Hopkins and Acosta pace the Gators with 15 and 14 steals, respectively, while Emily Zeh protects the rim with a team-high six blocks as Sage averages 2.3 blocks per game overall
 
Here's Houghton: The Houghton Highlanders enter the matchup undefeated at 8–0 on the season, boasting a dominant +29.6 scoring margin while averaging 85.0 points per game and holding opponents to just 55.4. Leading the Highlanders' offensive attack is Crysta Lacrosse, who averages a team-high 13.9 points per game while shooting an efficient .513 from the field and an impressive .519 from three-point range. She is joined in double figures by Tabitha DeVries (12.8 ppg) and Keely Mullins (12.5 ppg), giving Houghton a balanced scoring trio. From the perimeter, Lacrosse headlines a deep shooting group, while Teghan Trocki (.370) and Olivia Simser (.355) also provide consistent threats from beyond the arc. On the glass, DeVries and Mullins anchor the rebounding effort, averaging 6.1 and 6.0 rebounds per game, respectively, as Houghton holds a +7.3 rebounding margin. Defensively, Mullins leads the Highlanders with 19 steals, supported by Simser and Emma Huedepohl with 12 apiece, while Tricia Carmer and Hannah Farley protect the paint as part of a unit averaging 4.6 blocks per game
 
A Look at Alfred: The Alfred Saxons enter the matchup with a 6–4 overall record on the season, owning a +4.8 scoring margin while averaging 59.3 points per game. Leading the Saxons offensively is Jaidyn Chest, who paces the team with 15.8 points per game while shooting .389 from the floor and .348 from three-point range. Jayda Felker provides a strong secondary scoring option at 9.7 points per contest, while Natalee Collins adds 8.3 points per game and serves as Alfred's primary presence inside. From the perimeter, Ava Anastasi (.355) and Ashaya Wallace (.350) have been Alfred's most consistent three-point shooters. Collins anchors the rebounding efforts for the Saxons, averaging a team-best 11.2 rebounds per game, with Nelly Mbugeni contributing 7.7 rebounds per game and Chest adding 5.7 boards per contest. Defensively, Felker and Mbugeni lead the Saxons in steals with 17 and 16, respectively, while Collins controls the paint with a team-high 13 blocks as Alfred averages 3.3 blocks per game overall
 
Up Next: The Pioneers remain on the road, traveling to take on the Hartwick College Hawks. Tip off from Oneonta, NY on Tuesday, January 13 is set for 5:30pm.