UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball 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.

The first quarter started fast with the visitors enjoying a 7-0 scoring run. Three pointers from Sara Hotaling (Ravena, NY/Ravena Coeymans Selkirk) and M Simmons got the Pioneers started, but the visitors answered back, increasing their lead to 11, which would be Highlander's game high. The visitors had seven points from turnovers, which proved a massive advantage as Utica couldn't create steals to match. Godkin ended the quarter with a three pointer, bringing the lead back down to eight. An intense ending saw the visitors close out the quarter with a  28-20 lead.

Coming out of the break, Utica shut down the Highlander offense with a strong defensive stand, cutting the lead down to four early. Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) secured two shots from deep, while Hall found success in the paint, scoring seven points down low. The Pioneers continued to score, eventually taking the lead with three minutes to go in the quarter. Points from Cornell and Godkin secured the lead for Utica ending the first half up 44-42.

The Pioneers managed their lead well in the third, matching Houghton baskets, and registering seven second chance points by dominating the glass. The Pioneers displayed solid defense again, shutting down the visitor's perimeter offense, holding them to zero makes for the third quarter. As the game slowed down, the Utica bench came alive, scoring six points in the third, which gave the hosts a boost offensively. Houghton continued to create turnovers, but a strong Pioneers defense minimized the damage and maintained the lead into the break.

Utica dictated the tempo in the fourth, forcing the hosts into bad shots, and creating points the other way. Emma Simmons (Unadilla, NY/Sidney Central) secured her first three pointers of the game, while the Pioneers continued to dominate rebounds, creating fast break opportunities. Utica ended the game with a 49-29 rebound advantage which made the difference today. The flood gates opened midway through the quarter, with Utica creating a 13 point lead. Relentless scoring from M Simmons and Cornell closed out the victory for the Pioneers.

Utica (6-15) returns to action Friday, February 13th, as the Pioneers travel to take on SUNY Geneseo. Tip off from Carl Schrader Gymnasium in Geneseo, NY is set to start at 5:30.