Ithaca 74, Utica 53 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (1/11/2011) – The Utica College women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the second semester Tuesday night against visiting Ithaca College, 74-53, in an Empire 8 Conference contest at the Clark Athletic Center. Senior guard Devon Croll led the way for the Pioneers with a season-high 21 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Ithaca (9-5, 5-0 E8) used a 2-3 zone all night to stifle the Pioneers high power offense. Utica shot just 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the floor as its record fell to 6-7 overall and 2-2 in the Empire 8. Ithaca's Elissa Klie led the way for the Bombers with a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Ithaca bent but did not break for the first ten minutes of the contest and the Bombers extended their lead to as many as eight points, 14-6, at the 11:52 marker before the Pioneers first run of the contest. Utica answered with a 14-6 spurt, including three straight 3-pointers, to knot the score at 20-20 with 7:27 to go in the first half of play. However, the visitors answered right back with a 14-2 run to take a commanding 34-22 lead with just over two minutes to go in the half. The Pioneers were able to cut that deficit to nine by the half as the Bombers led 38-29. The first half featured three ties but the Pioneers could not manage to take the lead.

The Bombers came out of the gates hot in the second half and outscored UC 16-0 over the course of the first 4:49 to take a stunning 25 point lead, 54-29, with 15:11 to go in the contest. The Pioneers cut the lead to as few as 15 points, 60-45, with 6:53 left, but that was as close as they would get and the Bombers went on to win by 21 points.

Ithaca shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61) on the evening and outscored Utica 34-20 in the paint. The visitors also got 20 points from their bench and only four of the Pioneers starters combined for all 53 of their points.

Senior forward Jessica Berry scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for Utica, while sophomore Meghan Fiore added 10 points and three steals. Junior point guard Katie McGee dropped eight points and added eight assists.

Four different players scored in double figures for the Bombers including Klie, Jennifer Escobido (13), Jessica Farley (12) and Devin Shea (10).

The Pioneers return to the hardwood Friday as they travel to Rochester, NY to challenge Rochester Institute of Technology. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Tigers are currently 3-9 overall including a 1-2 mark in the Empire 8 Conference.

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