UTICA DEFEATS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

AURORA, N.Y. – The Utica College Pioneers opened the second half with a 20-6 run and never looked back en route to a 76-48 victory over the Wells College Express in non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday afternoon in Aurora. Meghan Fiore (Epping, N.H.) paced the Pioneers (3-2) with a game high 27 points along with nine rebounds, while Jessilyn Artaho-Aki (Kappaa, Hawaii) led the Express (1-3) with a team high 16 points and six assists.

Kristen Ryan (Syracuse, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Allison Pine (Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y.) added a near double-double with nine points and ten rebounds to round out the scoring highlights for the Express.

Katie McGee (Philadelphia, Pa.) had the most complete game for the Pioneers finishing with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while teammate Sam Stayer (Alleghany, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 points and three rebounds.

The Pioneers jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead on back-to-back three pointers and would lead by as many as 15 in the half. The Express defense stepped up late, holding the Pioneers scoreless over the final 3:03, while a steal and final second lay-up by Artaho-Aki capped a 7-0 run to pull the Express to within eight (35-27) at the break.

The Express trimmed the lead to five (35-30) early in the second half but the Pioneers regained their stride, holding the Express to just six points over a span of ten minutes as the Utica extended their lead to 25 points midway through the half and never looked back.

Utica was strong on the glass holding a decisive 54-27 advantage, while shooting 43.3 percent from the field. The Express finished 33.9 percent from the field and finished 6 of 7 from the charity stripe.

Wells returns to action tomorrow night when they travel to non-conference opponent Alfred University with the tip-off set for 5:30 p.m. in Alfred.