Utica Downs Women’s Basketball in Empire 8 Game

ELMIRA, NY - Utica guard Devon Croll alongside teammate Karen Crisanti combined for a total of 32 points and 14 rebounds respectively to help guide the Pioneers (3-2, 1-1 E8) to a 52-34 victory over the Soaring Eagles (2-3, 1-1 E8) Saturday afternoon at Speidel Gymnasium.

Cristanti ended up with the games only double-double recording 11 rebounds and 12 points in 38 minutes of playing time.

The Purple and Gold only managed to take the lead once the entire game, which came in the opening minutes. Erin Rupell ’11 (Lehighton, PA -- Lehighton) notched the basket that would give EC their only lead of the game, after stealing it from Crisanti. Rupell once again led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game earning a total of 14 points. She ended the day shooting 7-10 from the floor and had 6 rebounds.

Following the basket, Utica managed to tie the game at 2-2 on an easy lay-up. Following the basket an EC turnover gave the Pioneers possession once again which was translated into a three point basket, putting the orange and blue up by 3. On the day EC turned the ball over 30 times, while coming up with 19 steals of their own.

As the half continued EC tried to keep it close with efforts from Becca Fretz ’11 (Kunkletown, PA -- Pleasant Valley) and Kourtney Troutman ’08 (South Dayton, NY -- Pine Valley).

Unfortunately it was not enough to keep the game close as costly turnovers proved to be the downfall for the Soaring Eagles. Utica managed to take their first double-figure lead (17-7) with about seven and half minutes to play.

Rupell brought it back down scoring a lay-up, but that was countered quickly by another three point basket, this time from Croll. The Pioneers regained the double-figure lead going into the last minute. By the time the halftime horn sounded EC trailed Utica by 12 points (14-26).

The second half did not prove any better for Elmira College, as they continued to struggle to find some type of offensive spark. EC managed to score a total of 8 points in the first ten minutes of the half as compared to Utica’s 18 points, all of which were scored on three point field goals.

With EC trailing by 19 with 8:12 left in the game, the Soaring Eagles looked to their bench to help stop the bleeding. Fourth year player Alexia Strzalka ’08 (Massena, NY -- Massena-Central) came off the bench and tried to spark some type of life from the Purple and Gold. Utica managed to continue their offensive onslaught and eventually finished the game with a 19 point lead.

Despite the loss, EC will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they face Wilkes University at 7 p.m. in a non-conference game at Speidel Gymnasium.

Utica College 52, Elmira College 34
Box Score