UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell in its first reload conference game of the season to the Houghton University Highlanders by a score of 69-46 on Friday evening.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who ended the evening with 11 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3pt, 2-2 FT), alongside McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) who added her first double-double of the season with 10 points (4-14 FG, 2-6 3pt) and Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg),, who also managed to chip in 10 points (3-8 FG, 4-6 FT). Simmons paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with 10 on the evening, while Cornell managed seven, and Carl Atty contributed six. Defensively, Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) and Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) each swiped a pair of steals, while Simmons tallied a pair of blocks.
Utica opened the game with strong perimeter shooting, as Simmons knocked down a three just nine seconds in, followed by another triple from Atty to help the Pioneers seize early momentum. Simmons stayed aggressive, scoring inside and hitting a second three midway through the quarter as Utica built an 11–7 advantage. Houghton responded with balanced scoring to regain the lead, but Utica closed the first quarter with baskets from Cornell and Atty sending the game into the break tied at 18.
The Pioneers briefly pulled ahead early in the second quarter behind a three from Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central), but Houghton answered with a series of perimeter looks that shifted momentum. Utica stayed within striking distance through free throws and interior finishes from Cornell, cutting the deficit to two on multiple occasions. Late shooting by Houghton allowed the hosts to open a cushion heading into halftime, as Utica trailed 39–30 at the break.
Houghton extended the margin in the third quarter, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and three-point shooting. Utica continued to battle inside, with Hall and Cornell combining for several finishes in the paint, while Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) added a jumper to keep the Pioneers competitive. Despite the effort, Houghton maintained control entering the fourth.
In the final period, Utica received contributions from its bench and continued to attack the rim, highlighted by baskets from Hall, McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), and Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) at the line. The Pioneers forced turnovers late and showed defensive effort, but Houghton's shooting depth proved decisive down the stretch, closing out the contest with a 69–46 final.
Utica (4-7, 0-2 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, January 10 as the team remains on the road to take on the Alfred University Saxons. Tip off from Alfred, NY is set for 2pm.
