Kelsey Shaulis plays the defense

Utica Wins Clash of the Pioneers

Utica won a 74-66 back and forth battle vs. Alfred State on Tuesday evening.

Utica jumped out to an 18-2 lead but Alfred State was able to bounce back with a 11-0 run to close the quarter and trailed 18-13 after ten minutes. The blue & gold continued to play well in the 2nd and took a 35-33 lead into halftime. Utica connected on four 3-pointers in the 3rd and regained the lead. They led 54-45 heading into the final stanza. Alfred State battled back to within five in the final seconds but couldn't get any closer.

Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville) led the team with 20 points (four 3-pointers) while the duo of Emily Kelley (Andover) and Jordyn Pettit (Wellsville) were big under the hoop. Pettit finished with seven points and 15 boards while Kelley had seven points and 13 rebounds. Jade Parsons (Ovid/South Seneca) came off the bench and chipped in eight. The Pioneers bench outscored Utica 20 to 4 in the contest.

Nicolette Conklin led Utica (6-3) with 21 points and nine assists. Petrina DeMarco and Sydney Przygoda both finished wtih 15 while Brigid Johndrow finished with a double-double (14 points and 11 boards). Utica connected on ten 3-pointers in the game (10 for 42).

Alfred State shot 32.9% for the game while Utica shot 32.5%. Utica was 10 for 42 from three while Alfred State was 8 for 32. The blue & gold were 8 for 13 from the foul line while Utica was 14 for 24.

The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday when they travel to SUNY Delhi for a 1 p.m. contest.