Pioneers Down St. John Fisher as Berry Breaks Scoring Record
Utica, N.Y.
Utica, N.Y. (1/7/2011) - Senior forward Jessica Berry netted a game-high 22 points en route to breaking the program’s all-time scoring record as the Utica College women's basketball team downed visiting St. John Fisher College 77-66 Friday night. Berry now has 1,785 career points and eclipsed the original mark of 1,769 set by All-American and Pioneer Hall of Famer Sharon Lyke in 1985. Berry now needs 90 rebounds to join Lyke as the second player in school-history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.
With the win the Pioneers snapped a four game losing streak and improved their record to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in Empire 8 Conference play. The Cardinals have now lost two of their last six games and dropped to 5-6 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
Utica shot 75 percent (15-of-20) from the floor in the second half and 58.8 percent on the evening as the Pioneers earned the key conference victory. Sophomore forward Meghan Fiore netted 21 points and added four rebounds for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers opened up an early eight point lead, 12-4,3:04 into the contest. Berry’s record-breaking bucket came midway through the first half to give Utica a 22-16 lead with 10:37 to go in the first half. Fisher responded with an 11-4 run to take a one point advantage, 27-26, with 6:42 to go before the half. In the final six minutes Utica turned up the heat and outscored the visitors 13-4 to take an eight point lead, 39-31, into the locker room at halftime.
Utica made its first nine shots of the second half to extend it lead to as many as 19 points, 60-41, at the 12:30 mark of the second half. The Pioneers were able to maintain their lead for the majority of the second half until Fisher held Utica scoreless for the final 4:52 of the game to cut lead to 11 at the final buzzer. Utica’s convincing lead proved to be too much as the Cardinals late rally fell short.
Katie McGee added 11 points and dished out eight assists for Utica, while senior Devon Croll knocked down two three pointers on her way to scoring 11 points. Croll also added five assists. Freshman Alyssa Filkins made her first collegiate start and scored eight points for the Pioneers, while Casey Orlando and Justine Karst each added two points off the bench.
Stephanie Sweeney led the way for the visitors with 13 points and four assists, while Kristi Jeffres added 12 points and four rebounds. Colleen Maloney and Meghan Soja each netted nine points for Fisher. Camaryn Buckner added eight points and a team-best eight rebounds for the Cardinals.