UTICA NY - The Utica University women's basketball team returns to Miga Court for the final game of the regular season, hosting a crosstown rivalry showdown on Tuesday, February 17, against SUNY Poly with tip-off set for 5:30 pm from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center.
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video can be found here, and live stats here.
Last Time Out: 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.
Don't Blink: Utica's attack is powered by a dynamic trio that gives the Pioneers a threat at every part of the court. Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) sets the tone as one of the top scorers in Division III and the Empire 8, averaging around 18 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting over 45 percent in the field and 86 percent at the free throw line. Guard McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) provides additional scoring and playmaking on the perimeter. M Simmons ranks in the top of the Empire 8 for scoring, averaging 12 points per game. Forward Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) gives the Pioneers a reliable interior presence, averaging 7.5 points per game with a .346 shooting percentage in the field. Cornell helps control the glass, averaging seven rebounds per game.
Scouting the Wildcats: SUNY Poly enters the matchup with a 7-17 record overall and 3-12 in the Empire 8. Averaging 50.7 points per game while allowing 63.8 for a -13.2 scoring margin on the season. The Wildcats are shooting 31.7 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from the three, but they still connect on 5.3 made threes per game and get to the line for 9.6 free throw attempts per contest. Despite averaging 36 rebounds per game, including 10.7 offensive boards, opponents are able to outrebound the Wildcats by a -9.1 margin, averaging 45.1 per game. Offensively, guard Alysa Jackson leads the way with 15.3 points per game and a team high 44 made threes. Forward Sanaa Lee adds 4.1 points per game from inside and 8.5 rebounds per game with 74 blocks which ranks at the top of Division III. Alivia Turk (7.1 points, 4.2 rebounds per game) and Kayla Wilson (5.5 points, 5 rebounds, and two assists per game) help the Wildcats space the floor and compete on boards. Utica will be looking to flip the script after dropping a tight 70-68 decision to SUNY Poly in their first cross-town meeting earlier this season. In that game, Hall powered the Pioneers with 25 points, while Cornell, Simmons and Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) also scored in double figures. Cornell had a team high 11 rebounds on the night.
