UTICA, N.Y. (January 17, 2012) – The Rangers got back to their winning ways and held on for a 62-60 road victory over Utica College (5-10) this evening. After trailing at halftime, the Rangers exploded for 40 second half points to improve to 5-10 on the season.

 The balanced Ranger attack was led by senior Victoria Ault (Middletown, N.J./Mater Dei) who had a team-high 14 points, including 12 in the final 20 minutes of play. Ault also led the visiting Rangers on the glass, pulling down eight rebounds.

The Rangers led for the majority of the second half but had their led cut down to only two points with 1:10 remaining in the game after a 3-pointer by Pioneer guard Alyssa Filkins. The Rangers went on to score the next five points starting with a Brianna Reich (Sea Bright, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) layup with a little over a minute remaining.  Two free throws by Danielle Barber (Cape May Court House, N.J./Middle Twp.) with 42 seconds remaining gave the Rangers a 60-53 lead, the largest by either team in the contest.

The Pioneers would not go down without a fight, as they responded with a 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining to cut the Ranger lead to four. After making one of two free throws on the other end, the Rangers surrendered a layup to Meghan Fiore to make it a one possession game with 12 seconds left. Barber was immediately fouled on the inbound and made 1-of-2 to ice the Rangers fifth victory of the season.

Utica spoiled a fantastic effort from Fiore, who finished with 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting. Barber ended her night 12 points, sinking 4-of-6 from the free throw line. The balanced Ranger scoring was rounded off by Reich who had a career-high 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Rangers will look to carry the momentum over to Landmark Conference play this weekend beginning on Friday against Goucher. The Gophers will come to Madison seeking their second conference win of the season at 7:30 p.m. in Baldwin Gym.