Women's Basketball | 1/12/2017 7:40:00 PM

Box Score Box Score l Updated Stats

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Visiting Utica held off Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference women's basketball game Thursday at the Kidera Gymnasium. Despite a career-high 34 points from senior Sam Sorge, Nazareth lost for the first time in conference play, 62-56.

The loss dropped Nazareth to 6-6 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8. Utica improved to 4-9 and 2-2 in conference games. Ashley Mayo led Utica with 17 points, Alaina Tripp added 13 and Rachel Hunter had 10.

Sorge's points included a career-high seven three-point baskets, including one with 1:55 left to tie the score at 55-55. Utica got a pair of free throws from Rachel Hunter with :48 left to take the lead for good at 57-55. Maggie Tabone sank three more in the closing seconds and Nicolette Conklin made two more to extend the lead.

Utica had quarter leads of 15-11, 32-27 and 46-42. Sorge scored 15 of her points in the first half, including three three-point baskets and kept the Golden Flyers in the game in the second half.

A jumper by Sorge and a three-point basket by Samantha Peebles helped Nazareth regain the lead at 47-46 early in the fourth quarter. Mayo answered for Utica with a basket and a free throw to give Utica the lead again at 49-47. Teh lead exchanged hands again, but Sorge hit her sixth and seventh three-pointers of the game to tie the score at 55-55 to set the stage for the frantic final seconds.

Sorge finished the game 10-for-18 and grabbed six rebounds.  Lizzie Straub put down eight points (3-for-8).

Rachel Benedict grabbed eight rebounds.

Nazareth returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Ithaca for a 2 p.m. contest.