UTICA NY - The Utica University women's basketball team hits the road for a key back-to-back weekend against the SUNY Geneseo Knights on Friday, February 13 with a tip off set for 5:30pm, before taking on SUNY Brockport on Saturday, February 14 with a tip off set for 2pm. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for Friday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Saturday's can be found here, and live stats here.
 
Last Time Out: The team defeated the Houghton University Highlanders Saturday afternoon in a 86-75 victory. The Pioneers closed out Houghton in the fourth quarter after a high scoring matchup that saw seven lead changes. The Pioneers offense was dominant with Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) scoring 19 points (9-13 FG), McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) adding 17 points (5-17 FG, 2-6 3pt, 5-5 FT) along with six assists, and Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) scoring 16 points (5-9 FG, 6-7 FT). Cornell secured a game high 12 rebounds, while Hall had ten rebounds as well. Defensively, Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) had two steals, while M Simmons secured two blocks. 
 
Take Notes: Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) played a pivotal role for Utica during a two-game week, averaging a double-double with 17.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while logging over 34 minutes per contest. Cornell's consistent interior presence anchored the Pioneers on both ends of the floor, as she also added five assists per game. Cornell opened the week with a 16 point, 10 rebound performance against Alfred, recording a double-double while contributing defensively with a pair of blocks. She followed with an efficient and dominant outing in the Pioneer's 86-75 win over Houghton, shooting 9 of 13 from the field en route to a 19 point, 12 rebound effort.
 
A Look at Geneseo: Geneseo is 15–7 overall and 9–4 in Empire 8 play, posting an +11.1 scoring margin while averaging 64.3 points per game and allowing just 53.2 to opponents. They shoot 41.9 percent from the field as a team and hold opponents to just 33.3 percent, one of the best defensive field-goal marks in the league. The Knights control the glass at a high level, averaging 42.6 rebounds per game compared to 32.7 by opponents (+9.9 margin), including 13.1 offensive boards per contest, which consistently fuels second-chance scoring. Individually, Grace Galgano leads the way with 12.9 points and a team leading 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 51.0 percent from the floor and 84.1 percent at the free-throw line. Maggie McGrane adds 10.1 points per game and serves as the primary distributor, averaging 5.3 assists while shooting 40.3 percent from three. Kristin Suydam contributes 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while Audrey Hintz adds 8.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, giving Geneseo four players averaging at least 8.7 points per game.Geneseo does not rely heavily on the three-point shot, averaging 5.0 made threes per game connecting only 29.2 percent of the time, but they defend the arc well, holding opponents to 28.3percent shooting from deep. Defensively, they average 6.8 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while keeping opponents under 54 points per contest in conference play. In Empire 8 games specifically, Geneseo has been even more efficient, averaging 65.2 points per game while allowing 53.1, winning the rebounding battle by nearly 10 boards per game and shooting 42.1 percent from the field. 
 
Breaking Down Brockport: SUNY Brockport sits at 15–7 overall and 11–2 in Empire 8 play, ranking among the league's most explosive offensive teams at 75.1 points per game. The Golden Eagles play fast and aggressive, averaging 7.5 made threes per game and getting to the free-throw line frequently (11.4 FT made per game), while outscoring opponents by +5.6 overall and +11.8 in conference play. They shoot 37.8 percent from the field as a team and 28.0 percent from three. Stephanie Jean-Baptiste is the engine of the offense, averaging 19.1 points per game on 45.1 percent shooting while also contributing 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest. Mandy Brink (13.4 ppg) and Brianna Carey (11.2 ppg) give Brockport multiple perimeter scoring threats, combining for 58 made threes, while Peyton Maneri (7.3 ppg, 3.9 apg) serves as a secondary creator. Claire Turner anchors the interior with 8.7 rebounds per game and 33 blocks, giving Brockport rim protection. Defensively, Brockport averages 13.5 steals per game, forcing opponents into 21.4 turnovers per contest, creating a +5.8 turnover margin that fuels transition offense. While they give up 49.2 rebounds per game and are out-rebounded by 5.2 per contest overall, their ability to speed teams up often offsets second-chance opportunities. In conference play specifically, Brockport has been dominant offensively, averaging 76.7 points per game while allowing just 64.9, with a +11.8 scoring margin. They continue to force over 21 turnovers per game in league action and convert those mistakes into points, while shooting nearly 77 percent from the free-throw line. The Pioneers have squared off against Brockport on Miga Court already this season, where the Pioneers overcame a 17 point deficit to come within one of the Golden Eagles in the second quarter, but Brockport would win the turnover battle, leading to a 97-78 final in favor of the visitors. 
 
Up Next: The Pioneers return to Miga Court on Tuesday, February 17 for a cross-town showdown with SUNY Poly. Tip off from inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 5:30pm.