McGee Shines in Pioneers Season-Opening Victory
Utica, NY (11-15-11) - The Utica College women's basketball team opened up the season with a convincing non-conference victory as it beat SUNY Potsdam Tuesday night, 60-49, at the Clark Athletic Center. Senior Katie McGee led the Pioneers with 22 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and four steals.
The Pioneers return to the hardwood this weekend when they head to Saratoga Springs, NY for the Skidmore Classic. UC will face Ursinus College on Saturday, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.
UC jumped out to an early 8-0 lead as sophomore Alyssa Filkins hit back-to-back three-pointers, followed by a Justine Karst lay-up, over the course of the first three minutes of play. The Pioneers went on to build an 11 point lead halfway through the first, before Potsdam made its run. The visitors pulled within two points of the lead with 1:41 remaining in the half, before UC scored four consecutive points to take a 27-21 advantage headed into the locker room.
The Bears came out in the second half on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the contest, 28-27, at 18:15. The second half featured three lead changes over the first two minutes of play before UC regained a 30-28 edge at 18:00. Potsdam tied the game, 32-32, at 16:33, however, was not able to pull ahead as Utica regained momentum en route to the season-opening victory. The Bears pulled within two points with 8:09 to play before the home team went on 18-7 spurt to secure its second straight win over Potsdam.
Filkins and freshman Sam Stayer each netted 13 points, while Karst scored nine points and grabbed 10 boards to pace UC in the win. Freshman Mara Newland added seven rebounds for the Pioneers.
Utica shot 44% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc compared to Potsdam's 34.3% from the floor and 25% three-point percentage.
The UC defense held the Bears to one free throw attempt in the contest, while it shot 45.5% from the line (10-of-22).