KEUKA PARK, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team beat the Keuka College Wolves 52-49 on Saturday afternoon to collect its second Empire 8 victory of the season. 

The Wolves started off hot and led the game 7-0 just three minutes into the match. A three-pointer from Haley Burchhardt and a Madelyn Cozzens layup cut the lead to just two. Baskets by Kimberly Soriano and Krissy Geraci put Utica ahead 10-9 with three minutes left to play in the first. But, the Wolves took a 14-10 edge heading into the second quarter.

Utica opened the second frame with a three-point basket from McKenzie Simmons to cut the lead to 14-13. The Pioneers came out hot on an eleven point scoring run as Kristine Miller, Madelyn Cozzens, and Krissy Geraci all scored during the run. The Pioneers held a 21-14 advantage halfway through the second frame and ended the first half up 26-17 as Burchhardt scored the team's last five points of the half.

The Pioneers were up 32-19 with 7:36 left in the third quarter after Geraci and Petrina DeMarco helped fuel the scoring. The Wolves cut into the lead and made it 34-28 halfway through the third frame. Yet, Utica responded and took a 43-32 edge into the final quarter of play.

The Wolves were on fire to begin the fourth as the team splashed three shots from beyond the arc and were down just 44-42 with 6:59 to play in the final frame. Buckets by Cozzens and Burchhardt pushed the Utica lead back to 48-42. Yet, a three-pointer by Keuka put the Wolves ahead 49-48 with just over a minute to play. However, a clutch layup by Geraci put Utica up by one, and clutch free throws by Burchhardt helped the Pioneers hang on and win 52-49.

Geraci led the team in scoring with 17 points and ten rebounds for her second double-double of the year. Burchhardt poured in 13 points with three rebounds and one assist. DeMarco continued to fill the stat sheet as she dropped five points, nine assists, and three rebounds. The Pioneers forced 23 turnovers on the afternoon, resulting in 24 points off of them. 

Utica (7-4, 2-2 Empire 8) will travel to face Nazareth College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.