Utica, NY (1/4/13) The Utica College women's basketball team defeated visiting St. John Fisher College, 73-69 in overtime in Empire 8 Conference action Friday night at the Clark Athletic Center.  Freshman Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) had a game-high 23 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers, and senior Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) brought down 18 rebounds for the Pioneers. 

After nearly a full 20 minutes of back and forth action, it looked like Utica would take a two-point lead into the locker room at halftime, however Fisher guard Portia Velasco sunk a half-court shot as time expired to put the Cardinals up 32-31 at the half.

The second half was more of the same as each team traded the lead.  Utica was down by four before Fiore netted a layup with 43 second remaining to pull the Pioneers within two.  The Utica defense caused a key turnover with 17 seconds remaining to give UC one final push.  Senior Brittany Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech) hit junior Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) who drained a shot from just inside the arc with only five seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime.

UC controlled most of the play in the extra frame, as it did not trail at all in the five minute period.  Miceli hit back-to-back 3-pointers with less than three minutes to play to put the pressure on the visitors.  The Cardinals fought back, tying the score at 69-69 with a minute and a half remaining; however a layup by Filkins and free throws from Fiore and Miceli sealed the Utica victory. 

Miceli finished with 23 points and five boards, while Fiore had 19 points for her fifth double-double of the season.  Filkins had nine points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while classmate Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) had nine points and brought down 14 rebounds.  Brittany Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech) finished with seven points and four assists, while Racquel Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/New Dorp) (three points), Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) (one point), Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) (two points), and Marissa Kahane (Sayville, NY/Sayville) and Kelcei Edmonds (Pittsburgh, PA/Shady Side Academy) each added one assist on the night.

Fisher drops to 5-7 (2-1 Empire 8) on the season, while Utica improves to 6-6 overall and 2-1 in the E8.  The Pioneers return to action Saturday as they host Alfred University at 2 p.m.

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