Utica, NY- The Utica University women's basketball team fell to Alfred by a score of 75-62 at home on Friday night. Although the Pioneers fought to the very end, the visiting team proved difficult to contain, closing Utica out in the final frame thanks to a 22-point fourth quarter.

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central), who registered 29 points (10-15 FG, 3-3 3pt, 6-6 FT), followed by Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) with 16 points (6-24 FG, 4-6 FT), and McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) with nine points (3-9 FG, 1-2 3pt, 2-2 FT). Cornell grabbed the most rebounds with 10, while Hall registered eight as well. On the defensive side of the ball, M. Simmons led with an impressive five steals, while Cornell blocked two shots.

The game started with back and forth action, as both teams utilized the full extent of the shot clock, finding good looks but failing to capitalize. Despite the poor shooting in the opening frame, both teams controlled the ball well, only having two turnovers each. Although Utica enjoyed a seven point scoring run in the first quarter, it was Alfred who led at the end of the frame, holding a slim 15-14 advantage. The second quarter saw similar action, with both teams scoring early. Alfred found their rhythm from behind the arc, scoring two 3-pointers, while Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) had the hot hand for the hosts, scoring eight points in the second. 

Both teams scored 19 in the third quarter, but showed different styles of offense. Alfred dominated the ball, shooting 8-15 from the field, while Utica continued drawing fouls down low, registering 10 points from free throws. Hall led the way for Utica in the third with 10 points of her own, but it wasn't enough to take the lead at the break. Alfred held Utica to zero points from behind the arc, forcing the Pioneers to find points in hard places.

The visitors continued to score the ball in the fourth quarter, hitting another three shots from beyond the arc to match their third quarter total. Utica cut the lead to seven with about four minutes left in regulation thanks to buckets from Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) and M Simmons, but Jaidyn Chest sealed the game for Alfred, scoring 11 points to close the game out for the visitors. Chest ended the matchup with a game-high 31 points. The Alfred bench added another four points in the final quarter, taking their total up to 13 for the night. Points from the bench proved crucial, with the Pioneers only managing four all game. A strong fight from Utica chased Alfred into the fourth quarter, but ultimately the visitors proved too strong tonight.

Utica returns to action tomorrow, on Saturday, February 7th as the team faces Houghton University to cap off the weekend homestand. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 1pm.