NAZARETH FALLS TO UTICA, 69-59
Golden Flyers (12-10 overall) travel to Ithaca Friday 6 p.m.
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2005) – Utica took a 35-28 halftime lead as the Pioneers went on to defeat the Golden Flyers 69-59 Saturday in women's basketball. Utica improves to an E8 conference record of 7-4 and an overall record of 14-8. The Flyers are now 5-7 in the E8 and 12-10 overall. Sara Shipley (pictured) led the Flyers with a game-high 18 points.

The loss to Utica eliminates Nazareth from conference playoff contention. Utica clinched the fourth and final playoff spot and will compete in the E8 Tournament Feb. 26-27.

Early in the first half, Nazareth took a brief three point lead, 13-10, with 14:43 remaining in the half before Utica rallied. The Pioneers led by as many as eight in the first half and never trailed the rest of the game. Utica increased their lead to 13 with 11:12 left in the second half, but Nazareth was unable to bounce back.

In addition to Shipley, Nazareth got 11 points from Sarah Homer and nine from Jamiee McGivern.

The Pioneers had four players reach double figures. Senior Alicia Ventresca led the Pioneers with 16 points. Juniors Lise Kaiser and Corrina Rustmann each had 12 points, while Rustmann grabbed 10 rebounds, and Michelle Ironside added 10.

The Flyers are off until next weekend when they travel to Ithaca Friday at 6 p.m. and Elmira Saturday at 2 p.m.