News Release

The Utica College women’s basketball team defeated host Alfred University, 69-64, Saturday afternoon at the McLane Center in the Empire 8 regular season finale for both teams.

Alfred (4-21, 0-14 Empire 8) held a 35-33 lead at the half but Utica used a decided rebounding advantage to outscore the host team, 36-29, after intermission. For the game, the Pioneers outrebounded the Lady Saxons, 49-39. Free throw shooting may have cost Alfred the game, as the Lady Saxons made only 63 percent of their foul shots to 86 percent for Utica.

Sophomore guard Melanie Jackson paced AU with 18 points, four assists and five steals. Freshman guard Lisa Button and senior point guard Megan Sampsell each added 10 points for the Lady Saxons.

Ava Thomas paced Utica (18-7, 10-4 Empire 8) with 23 points, 15 rebounds and seven steals. Mallory Davis added 15 points and Karen Cristani had eight points and 14 rebounds.