Box Score MADISON, N.J. (December 29, 2012) – The Drew University women's basketball fell to Utica College (5-5) this afternoon by the score of 67-64. The Rangers drop to 3-8 on the season.

Senior Jennifer Mateo (Union City, N.J./Union City) posted a new career-high with 18 points including 11 in the first half. Mateo hit five, three-pointers and dished off eight assists playing all 40 minutes. Freshman Erin Howard (Tolland, Conn./East Catholic) pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and added a season-high 16 points.

For the Pioneers, Mary Miceli scored a team-high 15 points including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:40 left in the game. Brittany Baudanza grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and added seven rebounds to pace Utica.
The Rangers came out of the gate firing, scoring the game's first seven points and opened the contest up with an 18-8 run. Over the final nine minutes of the half, Drew outscored the Pioneers 17-8 and took a 33-22 lead into the halftime break.

The Pioneers narrowed the gap to start the second frame, continuing a late first half run. Over the course of 4:38, Utica scored 18 of the game's 20 points to make the score 35-34 with 17:09 remaining in the contest. The Rangers surrendered their first lead of the contest at the 12:39 link on a three-pointer by Brittany Baudanza, giving the Pioneers a 44-42.

The lead was short-lived, as back-to-back baskets by Howard and Mateo put the Rangers in front with 11:40 to play. The game would no longer be a runaway for the Rangers, as the Pioneers trailed by no less than four points for the rest of the game.

Finally with 2:40 left in the contest, the Pioneers regained the lead on the 3-pointer by Miceli to give Utica a 65-64 lead. Pioneer senior Meghan Fiore gave Utica a three point cushion with a jumper at the 1:15 mark.The Rangers were unsuccessful on their final three shots and Utica held on for the win. 

Senior Whitney Mackay (Suffield, Conn./Berkshire) and Courtney Stephens (Pikesville, Md./Gerstell Academy) each scored 12 points in a losing effort.

Drew will be back at home on January 2^nd to take on Gordon College at 2:00 p.m. in Baldwin Gym.