Utica vs Mitchell | Westfield State Tournament | Women's Basketball Highlights - 11/22/25

WESTFIELD, MA - The Utica University women's basketball team took the consolation matchup of the Westfield Gas and Electric Tournament against Mitchell College by a score of 68-43 on Saturday afternoon.

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) who put together a 21 point outing (9-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 1-2 FT) with six rebounds, an assist, and a pair of steals. Natalie Cornell (Greenwood, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) helped Hall lead the rebounding efforts, with six rebounds, alongside Madison LaDuke (Massena, NY/Massena Central) and Jayla Bell (Lyons, NY/Lyons) who each hauled in five. Five Pioneers managed to dish out a team high three assists in LaDuke, Madison Marusic (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer), Destiny Herring (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle), Carly Atty (Tribes Hill, NY/Fonda-Fultonville), and Hanna Godkin (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes). Defensively, three Pioneers managed a pair of steals each in Hall, LaDuke, and Godkin, while Godkin also managed a block.

Utica used a monster first-half surge to grab control and never let go. After Mitchell jumped in front 5–0 on early free throws and a three, the Pioneers settled in behind Hall. Hall knocked down a jumper to get Utica on the board, then found Cornell for a layup before Marusic drilled a three to give Utica its first lead at 7–5. From there it was all Pioneers: Hall splashed another three, converted a layup off her own offensive board, and kept piling on as Utica closed the quarter on a 15–1 run and flipped the game from 5–0 down to comfortably in front.

The second quarter turned into a shooting clinic. Atty opened the frame with a three, Godkin followed with another triple, and McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) added two free throws as the lead ballooned into double figures. Hall continued to live in the paint, finishing through contact, while LaDuke chipped in a jumper and Marusic buried another three late in the half. By the time Mitchell finally scored just before the buzzer, Utica had exploded out to a 40–16 advantage at the break.

Mitchell made a small push out of halftime, but every time the visitors threatened, Utica answered. Cornell opened the third with a strong finish inside, and Marusic turned a fast-break layup plus the and-one. Hall stayed aggressive with another paint jumper, and Cornell and Kate Mahoney (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) added layups as the Pioneers kept the margin in the 20-point range despite a brief Mitchell run. Utica's defense forced a string of turnovers, with LaDuke and Godkin jumping passing lanes to keep the pace and momentum on the home side.

The fourth quarter gave the Pioneer depth a chance to shine. Jaida Larsen (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah) carved up the lane for multiple layups, Marlie Macek finished at the rim and later kicked out to Brianelly Cruz (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou Freedom) for back-to-back threes, and Kierstin Einhiple (Hemlock, NY/Livonia) got on the board at the foul line. Destiny Herring (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) continued to rack up assists, as Utica's offense stayed sharp to the final horn. Even as Mitchell knocked down a couple of late threes, the Pioneers comfortably closed out a wire-to-wire statement win built on a dominant first-half run, balanced scoring, and contributions from all over the lineup.