BOX SCORE

Utica, N.Y. (12/1/2010) – The Utica College men's basketball team lost to cross-town rival Hamilton College Wednesday 71-60. Senior James Patterson (Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie) led the way for the Pioneers scoring 13 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

UC started off the game with a three pointer by Will Abrams (Somerset, NJ/Rutgers Prep School) to put the Pioneers up 3-0. Utica only scored two points for the next four minutes allowing the Continentals to take a commanding 15-5 lead. The Pioneers would then go on an 11-4 to cut the lead to eight, 40-32, at the half.

Utica would keep the game close to start the second half, and then with 10 minutes left the Pioneers their first lead, since the opening moments of the game, when freshman Marion Lewis (Bronx, NY/Lehman) made a layup to put the Pioneers on top 51-50. The game was tied at 60-60 with four minutes left, but the Pioneers failed to score in that time as Hamilton went on to win 71-60.

The Continentals shot 45 percent from the field, compared to Utica's 36.5 percent. However, UC did out rebound Hamilton 42-30. Senior Robert Whyte (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock Township) came up big on the boards for Utica pulling down ten rebounds, he also had four points and one block. Sophomore Kevin Johnson led the Utica in points with 15. Senior Will Abrams (Somerset, NJ/Rutgers Prep School) had 11 points, three assists and three rebounds.

Hamilton's leading scorers were Ephraim McDowell with 22 points. Greg Newton added 12 points and two assists. Pat Sullivan had 10 points and three rebounds.

The Pioneers are back in action Saturday Dec. 4 when travel to Skidmore College for the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational. UC will kick of the tournament vs. Thomas College. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.