ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick women's basketball snapped a six-game winless streak against Utica in a 78-59 romp on Saturday at Lambros Arena. The victory matches last season's win total of 10 for the Hawks and improves their overall record to 10-3. 'Wick is also 3-1 in the Empire 8 Conference and tied for second place with Stevens.
            Sophomores Kate Purcell (Buffalo, NY/Mount Mercy Academy), Maria Foglia (Rensselaer, NY/Catholic Central), Kate Veit (Easthampton, MA/Holyoke Catholic), and freshman Carlee Hirt (Beacon, NY/John Jay E. Fishkill) each hit the double-digit mark for points in the game for the Hawks. Purcell led the team with 21 points and Foglia contributed 18. Hirt missed a double-double by one rebound with 14 points and nine boards, and Veit added 12 points.
            The Hawks, who defeat UC for the first time since 2008, ended the game hitting 52.6% (10-of-19) from three-point range. The team was also perfect from the free-throw line hitting all 16 of its attempts and the Hawks' bench outscored the Pioneers by a margin of 33-0.   
           "It was a much better performance tonight," remarked Hartwick head coach Missy West. "We were able to hit big shots and get a lot of help from players off the bench."
            Hartwick grabbed the early 5-2 advantage on a Foglia three-pointer less than two minutes into the contest and never surrendered it the rest of the day. The Hawks took control with a 14-3 run over a three and a half minute span to take a 14-point edge with less than 10 minutes to play in the opening half. 'Wick converted baskets on six consecutive trips down the floor with five different Hawks figuring into the scoring in the span. Three-pointers by Josefine Vincents (Vallensbak, Denmark/Kent School) and Purcell capped the run.
            The Hawks maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the half with a three from Purcell and a pair from downtown by Veit in the final two and a half minutes of the stanza.
            The Blue and White shot a blistering 66.7% (6-of-9) from beyond the arc and 51.6% (16-of-31) from the floor in the opening half. They also held the Pioneers to just 35.7% (10-of-28) as a group.
            Five straight points for Utica trimmed the Hartwick lead to 12 points, 42-30, with 16:25 left but the Hawks would counter with 17 of the next 24 points to open up their biggest lead of the day, 59-37, with 9:24 to play. The Pioneers, however, would climb back into the game with a 17-4 run of its own over the next six and a half minutes and a pair of free throws from Katie McGee cut the lead to nine, 63-54, with exactly three minutes to go in the game.
            Hartwick was too much from the line down the stretch. Purcell sank six shots from the stripe and Foglia added four in the closing stages of the game. Hirt contributed two buckets and a free throw to help secure the 'Wick victory.
            "We need to continue to get better every day, but I'm happy with tonight's win," added West. "I am proud that we shot 100% from the line. We emphasize free throws each day in practice so I was happy to see it."
            Purcell made 6-of-11 shots on the day, which included three 3-pointers. She grabbed seven rebounds and tied for a team-best with four assists. Foglia made 6-of-13 shots with two three-pointers and four assists. Veit had a game-high four triples and four assists.
            Utica's Meghan Fiore made 10-of-18 from the floor for a game-high 27 points. She added a game-high 10 boards, three assists, and two blocks. McGee flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in the game. Justine Karst scored 11 points for UC.
            With the win, Hartwick improves to 26-19 over the Pioneers all-time. The Hawks next play on the road on Tuesday, January 17 at Vassar College.