The Utica College men's basketball team defeated visiting Potsdam State 84-79 to open its 2009-10 season at the Harold T. Clark gymnasium Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers had a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures and four players finishing with five or more rebounds.
    The pivotal play came late in the game when senior forward Patrick Goodman (Whitesboro, NY) made a turnaround jump shot with the shot clock winding down, to open up a five-point lead with 47 seconds to play. Freshman guard Kevin Johnson (Cambria Heights, NY) made two free throws with two seconds to play to seal the victory.
    Goodman led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 9-12 from the floor, and led all players with 11 rebounds. Junior guard James Patterson (Poughkeepsie, NY) scored 13 points and tallied six assists, which led the team.
    Juniors Will Abrams (Somerset, NJ) and Geoff Brown (Utica, NY) added twelve points each, as the Pioneers shot 51% from the floor. Brown also tied for the game high with five offensive rebounds.
    SUNY Potsdam's Anthony Williams (Brentwood, NY) led the Bears with 19 points, and added six rebounds.
    Utica (1-0) will open their road schedule Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Laker Hall Gymnasium as they take on Oswego State. SUNY Potsdam (0-2) will play on the road against Clarkson this Saturday at 4 p.m.

 
                            ---www.ucpioneers.com