UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team opened the 2026-27 campaign at home on Saturday afternoon, taking down the visiting Morrisville Mustangs by a score of 64-56.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was
Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central), who opened her senior campaign with a massive 24-point (7-18 FG, 3-5 3pt, 7-8 FT), 15-rebound double-double, adding three steals and a block to her stat line for the afternoon. Sophomore
Eloise Lilley (Waterbury, Vermont/Harwood Union) also put forth a strong offensive performance in her first collegiate game, registering 12 points (3-12 FG, 6-7 FT), with a team leading four assists, along with a pair of steals.
Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) posted a team second-best eight rebounds, along with a block.
Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) also found the stat sheet with a team leading three steals. Utica controlled the glass throughout the afternoon, outrebounding Morrisville 50-43, including a 24-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. The Pioneers turned those opportunities into 22 second-chance points while also forcing 16 Morrisville turnovers.
The Pioneers established control early, opening the contest with a 14-2 advantage.
Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) helped fuel the early surge, connecting on back-to-back three-pointers before Hall added a putback layup to extend the lead to 12 with 4:41 remaining in the opening quarter. Morrisville managed to cut into the deficit, but baskets from Cornell and a late free throw from Lilley helped Utica carry a 19-8 advantage into the second.
Utica continued to build its lead in the second quarter, beginning with a layup from Marusic and another inside finish from Cornell to make it 23-8. After Morrisville cut the deficit to 11, Hall helped the Pioneers regain momentum with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer, extending the advantage to 28-12.
Kendall Abraham (Schenectady, NY/Colonie Central) later connected from beyond the arc, while Hall added another three-pointer in the closing minute to give Utica a commanding 37-17 lead at halftime.
The Mustangs began to chip away at the deficit in the third quarter, opening the half with six unanswered points to make it 37-23. Utica struggled to find its offensive rhythm early in the period, but a free throw from Simmons and a layup from
Destiny Herring (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) helped settle the Pioneers. Abraham followed with her second three-pointer of the afternoon, and Hall added two free throws to push Utica's advantage back to 21 points. Morrisville closed the quarter with four unanswered points, sending the game into the fourth with the Pioneers ahead 46-29.
Morrisville continued its comeback effort in the final frame, using an 11-2 run to trim the Utica lead to eight points with 6:45 remaining. Hall responded with a crucial three-pointer at the five-minute mark before adding a layup and a putback on consecutive possessions, restoring a 55-40 advantage with 3:30 left to play. The Mustangs refused to go away, cutting the deficit to six points at 58-52 with 59 seconds remaining. However, the Pioneers held their composure at the free-throw line, as Simmons and Lilley combined to knock down six free throws in the final minute to secure the 64-56 victory.
The team returns to action on Wednesday, November 11 as the team hits the road for the first time this season to take on the Union College Garnet Chargers. Tip off from Schenectady, NY is set for 5:30pm.
