Box Score
Utica 79, Sage 55 - Women's Basketball Final

Albany, NY---The Utica College women's basketball team jumped out to a convincing 44-22 lead in the first half and never looked back as it improved to 2-0 on the year after a 79-55 win over host The Sage Colleges on Saturday afternoon.  Five different players scored at least nine points for the Pioneers, including sophomore forward Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone), who tallied 12 points and six rebounds off the bench. Junior Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) added a game-high 12 rebounds and posted nine points.  The win marks the fourth straight year that the Pioneers have won their first two contests of the season. 

The non conference matchup was back and forth in the first half as Utica jumped out to an early lead before Sage tied the action at 8-8 and went on a run to take a 15-8 lead, before the Pioneers took an 18-15 with 11:00 left in the first half. The Pioneers never looked back and took a 44-22 lead into the locker room.

For the Pioneers, senior Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) led all players with her 15 points after making 6-of-11 shots from the floor. Utica had four players finish in double-digits on the afternoon as Stayer had 12 points and rookie guard Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) had 11 points off the bench. Junior guard Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) finished with 10 points, including a pair of three-point baskets.

For the game, Utica shot 44.4% from the floor and made six 3-pointers, while Sage hit five threes and made 100% of their free throws (8-8).

Senior Brittany Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island) was 1-for-3 from 3-point land for the Pioneers and she also knocked down a a pair of free-throws.  Marissa Kahane (Sayville, NY/Sayville) came off the bench and scored six points, while freshman Raquel Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/New Dorp), sister of Brittany, added a career-best five points and five rebounds.

Pacing the Gators on the afternoon was sophomore forward Amie Jefferson as she had 13 points and hit 6-of-11 field goals. She was joined in double-digit scoring by senior Carly Vallee as she netted 10 points and had two-three pointers.

Utica comes home to the friendly confines of the Clark Athletic Center for a four game home stand in a span of six days after Thanksgiving.  The four game stretch begins with Oneonta State on Nov. 26th at 7 p.m.

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