RPI Downs Utica 77-67 In Non-Conference Play

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Utica, NY (11/27/2012) – Senior forward Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) netted a season-high 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the floor as the Utica College women's basketball team lost a 77-67 decision against visiting RPI on Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium.  The Pioneers rebounded from a off-shooting night on Monday to connect on 28-of-53 field goals (52.8%), but it was not enough as the visiting Engineers won their third consecutive game and improved on 4-1 overall on the year. 

UC has now lost two in a row after opening the season with two straight victories, and the Pioneers hope to rebound on Thursday night when they host Wells College in game three of a four game home stand at 7 p.m.

RPI, which caused 21 Utica turnovers (resulting in 27 Engineer points), was led by a 24 point effort from Sarah Wetmore.  Wetmore also totaled seven rebounds, four assist and three steals.  Jen Rock added 14 points and three steals, while Kelly Piotrowski chipped in with 13 points for the Engineers. 

UC's Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) had another nice night, scoring a season-high 16 points.  Greenwald now averages a double-double through four contests this season (11.0 rebounds, 10.3 points).  Freshman Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) came off the bench and netted 14 points and six rebounds for UC. 

Fiore netted three straight buckets to open the contest and the Pioneers led 6-4 2:34 into the game.  Unfortunately for the home squad that proved to be their last lead.  The visitors responded with a 30-11 run over the course of the next 11:28 of action to increase their lead to 34-17 with 5:28 to go in the first half of play. 

Utica made a nice surge in the final 4:56 of the first half, outscoring the Engineers 14-4 in the stretch to cut the Pioneer deficit to seven points at the half (38-31). 

UC picked up where it left off in the second half, outscoring RPI 8-3 in the first 2:20, to make it a two point contest, 41-39, at the 17:38 marker.  RPI never did let its lead completely slip away as the Engineers used a 22-7 run, sparked by two 3-pointers from Courtney Reynolds and five points from Piotrowski, to increase their lead to 17 points, 63-46, with 8:57 left in regulation. Reynolds finished the night with eight points. 

Utica made one last push, scoring 13 of the game's next 15 points in a span of 3:23 to cut their margin to six points, 65-59, with 5:01 to go, but that was as close as they would get.  RPI outscored UC 12-9 in the final 4:19 to earn the ten point victory. 

Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) totaled seven assists for the Pioneers, while Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) came off the bench and added five rebounds. 

Balilei Tetrault added eight points and four rebounds for the visitors and Amanda Lynch also totaled six points. 

RPI finished the day with 12 steals and the Engineers knocked down 9-of-10 free-throws. 

The Engineers will now head to the Williams College Tournament to take on the hosts in Massachusetts on Friday night at 6 p.m.

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