SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior Nicole Conley scored a career-high 27 points on the way to filling up the stat sheet as the Union College women's basketball team closed out 2018 in style with a 71-59 win over Utica College on Sunday afternoon at the Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Conley cracked 20 points for the third straight game, netting a career-best 27 on 11-of-17 shooting, as part of an excellent individual effort. The senior added nine rebounds, six blocks, five assists and four steals as well in only 28 minutes of action for Union (6-2), which heads into 2019 on a three-game winning streak.
 
Junior Elly Vaughan also reached double-figures with a career-high-tying 12 points while adding seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals. Freshman Anna Metcalf also chipped in seven points, seven rebounds and five assists, while freshman Darby Leid dished out a game-high seven assists as well.
 
The Dutchwomen shot 43.7 percent from the field for the afternoon, hitting 31-of-71 attempts, while also outscoring the Pioneers 40-20 in the paint. Utica finished the day shooting just 30.0 percent (18 of 60) from the field, but remained close thanks to a 17-of-24 effort from the line.
 
The first quarter was the most competitive of the day, as the teams combined for five lead changes over the opening 10 minutes. Both teams led by as many as four points during the period, with the visitors using a 7-0 run to take back the lead and grab a 16-15 advantage after one quarter of play.
 
The Pioneers held a 21-17 lead with 1:32 gone by in the second stanza before Union made its move, outscoring Utica 11-2 over the next 5:51 to take back the lead for good. Five different players scored buckets for the home team during the run, including a three from sophomore IreLee Ferguson. Utica, meanwhile, was held to 1-of-7 shooting with three turnovers during the stretch.
 
Union held a 32-27 lead at the break, thanks to a fantastic stat line from Conley, as the senior posted nine points, five blocks, four assists, four rebounds and two steals in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The Dutchwomen scored the first nine points of the third quarter to open up a 41-27 lead. Utica came back with eight straight points to get within six at 41-35, but the home team limited the Pioneers to two free throws over the final 4:37 to build up its largest lead of the game at 52-37 by the end of the third.
 
Union held a double-digit lead for much of the fourth quarter, as the home team managed to keep the Pioneers from getting within striking distance. The lead grew to as many as 17 points following a jumper from junior Joana Santos with 1:22 remaining that put Union up 71-54 before five Utica points ended the contest.
 
The Dutchwomen, who are 6-2 for the first time since 2015-16, will look to keep the momentum going into the New Year, when the team gets back into Liberty League play against Ithaca College on January 4, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the Viniar Athletic Center.