The Hamilton College women's basketball team (3-3) held visiting Utica College under 30 percent shooting, snapping the Pioneers' two-game winning streak with a 60-44 win Sunday afternoon at Hamilton's Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. The Continentals, who have won seven of their last eight over Utica, posted their best defensive effort since a 66-29 win over SUNY Morrisville last December.

Carly Gruenberg '14 made her first career start and led Hamilton with career-best totals of 16 points and five assists.

The Continentals held Utica (2-3) to 10 points over the first 12 minutes of play, hitting their first five three-point attempts to open up a 20-7 lead. Hamilton, who never trailed, led by nine points within the first 3:27 and took a double-digit lead just four minutes in on a three-point basket by Serena Ward '16. Utica pulled to within single digits just once for the rest of the game, when a three-point play by Christy Traglia '15 made the score 16-7 6:44 into the half.

After limiting the Pioneers to 32.0 percent shooting from the floor in the first half (8-25), the Continentals
did even better in the second period, holding Utica to 27.6 percent accuracy (8-29). Hamilton kept Utica off the scoreboard for the first five minutes after halftime.

Dani Feigin '14 scored 15 points – including four three-point baskets --- and contributed two assists and two steals for Hamilton. Serena Ward '17 scored nine points (all on three pointers) in just 17 minutes off the bench.

Utica's Bridget Greenwald '14, the nation's 18th-leading rebounder, led all players with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Kelsey Cowell '17 pulled down eight rebounds for the Pioneers, who owned a 44-36 advantage on the boards.

Olivia Pimm '14, who scored six points, led Hamilton with nine rebounds. Flo Turiaf '17 added eight to go along with three assists and three steals.

Hamilton held the Pioneers' leading scorer, Mary Miceli '16, to five points – 16 points below her season average – on two-of-13 shooting from the floor and kept her scoreless for the game's first 25 minutes.

The Continentals conclude their four-game home stand Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game against Union. Utica plays at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Tuesday at 6 p.m.