Utica 87, Elmira 52 - Box Score

Elmira, N.Y. (2/15/2011) – Nine different Pioneers scored as the Utica College women's basketball team steam rolled to an 87-52 victory over host Elmira College in Empire 8 Conference play Tuesday night. Senior forward Jessica Berry (29) and sophomore Meghan Fiore (25) combined for 54 points in the victory as the Pioneers improved to 13-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play.

Utica, which clinched its seventh straight conference tournament berth over the weekend, shot 50 percent from the floor (33-of-66) and did not trail the entire contest.

Utica opened the contest on a 15-5 run in the first 5:03 to take a quick ten point lead. The home team answered with a 9-4 run in the next four minutes to cut its deficit in half, 19-14, at the midway point of the first half. The Pioneers shot right back with an 11-2 run to take a commanding 15 point lead with 6:39 to go. UC was able to sustain the double digit lead and controlled the contest by 13 points at the half.

Elmira made 6-of-7 shots to open the second half as it cut the Pioneer lead to five points, 45-40, at the 16:15 marker. However, UC held the Soaring Eagles to just 12 points for the remainder of the contest, and scored 42 points of its own to earn the 35 point victory. Elmira's bench could only must six points in the loss.

Senior guard Devon Croll scored seven points and dished out a game-high seven assists, while starters Katie McGee and Alyssa Filkins combined for ten points and six assists. Jessica Berry also added four steals and three blocks for UC. Stephanie Nara (6), Brittany Baudanza (4), Justine Karst (4) and Janelle Nixon (2) all score for Utica. 

Elmira's Becca Fretz scored a team-high 17 points and added eight rebounds before fouling out, while Maria Thannhauser poured in 14 points.

UC returns to the hardwood on Friday night when it hosts RIT for its final home game of the season. The Pioneers will say goodbye to four seniors as part of the evening's festivities. UC's senior class has quite an impressive resume which includes two Empire 8 Conference Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Over the course of the last four years this senior class has compiled a 71-35 overall record.

Throughout Friday night's contest the Pioneers will also be taking part in the 3rd Annual "Pink Zone" initiative. They will support breast cancer awareness by wearing pink t-shirts during warm-ups and pink and white socks during the game.

A 50/50 raffle will be held during both the men's and women's game and half of the raffle winnings will go to the Perfect Fit Boutique of the Regional Cancer Center of Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare. The boutique specializes in products for post mastectomy women who are breast cancer survivors, and provides bras and bathing suites unique to the needs of those patients.

Over the last two years the Pioneers have managed to raise nearly $1,000 towards the "Pink Zone" initiative.

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