GENESEO, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team opened its last road trip of the season Friday evening, falling to the SUNY Geneseo Knights by a score of 82-30.
Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) paced the Pioneers with a team leading nine points on the evening (3-13 FG, 3-11 3pt), followed by Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) with six (1-4 FG, 4-4 3pt), and McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) with four (1-14 FG, 1-3 3pt, 1-2 FT). Simmons led the team in rebounding with a total of seven, followed by Hall with five and Marusic with four. Defensively, Simmons led the way with a pair of steals while Marusic, Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) and Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) each swiped one. Marusic and Godkin also recorded a block a piece.
Utica fell behind early as SUNY Geneseo opened the game on a 7–0 run, as the Pioneers struggled to find rhythm offensively in the opening minutes, missing their first several field-goal attempts while Geneseo converted second-chance opportunities and turned steals into transition points. A jumper from Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) at the 2:59 mark finally put Utica on the board, but the Knights closed the first quarter on a surge, including a late three, to take a 28–3 lead after one.
Geneseo continued to extend its advantage in the second quarter behind balanced scoring and strong interior play. Marusic knocked down a three early in the frame, and Simmons later connected from beyond the arc, but Utica struggled to finish at the rim against multiple blocks from the Knights defenders. The Knights capitalized on turnovers and pushed the pace in transition, building a 48–10 halftime lead.
Out of the break, Marusic provided a spark with another three-pointer, and Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) added points at the free-throw line to chip into the margin. However, Geneseo answered each push with efficient offense in the paint and timely perimeter shooting, stretching the lead to 69–22 heading into the fourth.
In the final period, Hall scored inside and Sara Hotaling (Ravena, NY/Ravena Coeymans Selkirk) drilled a three as Utica continued to compete, while Marlie Macek added a late layup off a feed from Hotaling. Despite those efforts, Geneseo maintained control down the stretch, using transition baskets and steady free-throw shooting to secure the 82–30 decision.
Utica (7-16, 3-11 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 14, as the team takes on SUNY Brockport. Tip off from Brockport, NY is set for 2pm.
