Utica 72, RIT 59 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (2/18/2011) – The Utica College women's basketball team defeated visiting Rochester Institute of Technology 72-59 in Empire 8 Conference action Friday night at the Clark Athletic Center. The Pioneers celebrated senior night and five Pioneers played their final game at the Clark Gymnasium.  Those seniors included reigning conference player of the year Jessica Berry, all-conference guard Devon Croll, Stephanie Nara, Janelle Nixon and Casey Orlando. Berry led all scorers with 24 points and nine rebounds to pace Utica to its fourth win in five games.

The Pioneers, who have secured their seventh straight Empire 8 Conference Tournament berth, are now 14-10 overall and 10-5 in conference play. RIT dropped to 5-19 overall and 3-12 in the E8.

UC came out of the gates hot and took an early ten point lead, 12-2, just 5:43 into the contest behind two 3-pointers from Nara. The visitors answered on a 14-7 run to cut the Pioneers lead to three points, 19-16, at the 8:44 mark of the first half. However, the Pioneers responded with a 19-7 run to close out the half and they led by 15 points, 38-23, as the first half buzzer sounded.

RIT shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half but it was not enough as the Pioneers were able to maintain a double digit lead for the final 20 minutes of play. The Tigers cut the UC lead to ten points on four different occasions but UC seemed to have every answer down the stretch.

Senior guard Devon Croll totaled 13 points, four assists and three steals for Utica, while sophomore forward Meghan Fiore added 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Nara finished the day with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from 3-point land. Casey Orlando chipped in with three points and three rebounds in her final game at the Clark Athletic Center.

Leslie Haven and Courtney Tennant each tallied 23 points to pace the Tigers. Tennant also added ten rebounds. Kayla Wheeler poured in seven points, but the Tiger's bench was only able to muster two points in the loss.

The Pioneers return to the hardwood on Saturday when they travel to conference foe Nazareth College for their final regular season contest of the year. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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