BROCKPORT, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles on the road by a score of 73-64 on Saturday afternoon. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who finished with a team leading 21 points (9-19 FG, 1-3 3pt, 2-3 FT), followed by Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) with 10 points (2-8 FG, 6-10 FT), while McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) (3-11 FG, 1-5 3pt, 1-2 FT) and Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) (3-7 FG, 2-5 3pt) each chipped in eight. Hall paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with 12 on the afternoon, while Cornell and Simmons each hauled in seven. Defensively, Simmons managed a pair of steals, while Hall, Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville), Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes), and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) each grabbed one. 

Both teams started cold with a flurry of missed jumpers and threes. Brockport struck first with a three and a layup to go up 5–0. Utica answered with a Marusic three and a Cornell layup (5:32) to tie it at 5–5, but Brockport briefly regained the edge at 9-5. Utica responded again with Cornell scoring inside, then Hall knocked down a three to give the Pioneers their first lead. Brockport closed the quarter with a burst at the line and in transition, pushing ahead 14–11, before Cornell hit two late free throws and Hall converted a tip-in plus the foul with six seconds left to tie it, 16–16.

Cornell opened the scoring in the second with a free throw to put Utica up 17–16, but Brockport answered with free throws to tie and then jumped ahead on a jumper. Utica got an interior finish from Simmons, yet Brockport strung together another run with paint scores and transition chances, building the lead to 31–20. Hall scored twice inside to steady Utica, and Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) added a three, but Brockport kept getting to the line and finishing at the rim to maintain control. A late Brockport push capped by free throws and a fast-break layup at the horn would send the Pioneers into halftime down 39–29.

Utica came out of the break aggressive and started chipping away. A Marusic jumper  and a McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) three cut into the deficit, and Marusic hit another three to pull Utica within four at 41–37. Brockport answered with a trio of paint finishes to rebuild breathing room, but Utica kept scoring from Hall on the block, plus a Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) three to make it 49–44 late. Brockport responded with a pair of baskets and a fast-break finish in the final seconds to keep momentum and extend the margin to 53–46 heading to the fourth.

Utica made one more push early in the final frame, with Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) drilling a three and Hall scoring inside to get within four at 53–49. Brockport answered immediately in the paint and at the line, keeping Utica from getting over the hump. Hall continued to attack, and Cornell briefly tied it at 59–59, but Brockport responded with free throws and a putback to regain control. From there, Brockport's steady trips to the line and a few key finishes in the lane widened the gap again, and Utica's late threes and drives couldn't close it all the way as Brockport held on, 73–64.

Utica (7-17, 3-12 Empire 8) finishes up its regular season with a crosstown showdown against SUNY Poly. Tip off on Tuesday, February 17 from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 5:30pm