Utica, NY (2/5/13)- Sophomore Samantha Stayer (Allegany, NY/Allegany-Limestone) sunk four free throws with less than a minute remaining to propel the Utica College women's basketball team over visiting Hartwick College, 64-61 in the Pioneers' "Play 4 Kay" night sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts.  The Empire 8 Conference game was also broadcast live across New York State on the Time Warner Cable Sports Network.   

Hartwick jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first 2:30 of the contest, but the Pioneers answered back with an 11-0 run over the next two minutes to regain control of the game. 

The next 15 minutes were filled with back-and-forth action, but Utica used six 3-pointers in the first half to take a 34-29 lead into the locker room. 

The Hawks again came out strong, scoring four points in the first 50 seconds of the second stanza, and going on a 7-1 run over the next three minutes to retake the lead.  Once again the teams battled trading baskets and the lead.  A three-pointer from Hartwick's Kate Purcell with just 1:52 gave the Hawks a 61-60 ledger and the momentum.

However, with just 54 seconds left, Stayer hit consecutive free throws to give UC the one-point lead.  With just 24 seconds left, Stayer was again sent to the line and made the Hawks pay, once again sinking both foul tries. 

Hartwick tried for one final push, but the Utica defense held strong, to knock off the second-place Hawks and bring the crowd of 755 to its feet. 

Freshman Mary Miceli (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) had 14 points, including three 3-pointers in the first half, while senior Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) also tallied 14 points on the night.  Junior Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) and freshman Racquel Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/New Dorp) each netted ten points, and sophomore Marissa Kahane (Sayville, NY/Sayville) chipped in with seven on the night. 

All five of Stayer's points came from the foul line and Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) added four points and a team-high eight boards. Filkins improved upon her conference-leading 4.5 assists-per-game average, as she dished out eight balls on the night.

The Pioneers improve to 11-11 on the season (7-5 Empire 8), while Hartwick drops to 16-5, and 8-2 in the E8.  The Pioneers return to action Friday as they host Houghton College.  Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.


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