Nazareth 73, Utica 72 - Box Score

Utica, NY - The Utica College men's basketball team lost to conference rival Nazareth College, 73-72, Friday night at the Clark Athletic Center. The Pioneers fall to 8-7 overall including a 2-5 record in the Empire 8 Conference, while the Golden Flyers improve to 10-6 on the season with a 3-4 mark in conference play. Senior Robert Whyte (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock Township) led UC with 16 points and seven boards in 23 minutes off the bench.

Nazareth took a nine point lead, at 7:26 in the first half, marking the biggest lead of the game. Utica would follow with a 16-3 run to close out the first half, taking a 32-29 lead into the locker room. The UC defense held its opponent to 36.7% shooting (11-30), including 0-9 from behind the arc, in the first 20 minutes of play.

After trailing for over ten minutes, the Golden Flyers would regain the lead, 58-57, with 7:03 to play in the second half. Utica would make a late run in the final minutes and take a one point advantage, 68-67, after five unanswered points from senior guard James Patterson (Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie). In the final 1:43, the game would feature six lead changes. The Pioneers had a final 14 second possesion in attempt to net the game winner, but could not convert. The visiting team shot 63%, on 17-of-27 from the floor, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the line in the second half.

Nazareth junior Phil Scaffidi recorded a game-high 19 points while registering the team's last six points en route to victory.  Greg Lothridge, a 6-11 junior, added 10 points, on 4-of-4 from the floor, and five rebounds for the Golden Flyers.

Sophomore Kevin Johnson and senior Will Abrams (Somerset, NJ/Rutgers Prep School) combined for 23 points, eight boards and eight dishes for UC.

The Pioneers return to action Friday, Jan. 28, as they travel to Hoboken, NJ for a conference match-up against Stevens Institute of Technology. The Ducks beat UC, 73-69, in Utica on Dec. 10 in the team's conference opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. Stevens is currently tied for third in the conference with a 4-2 record while holding a 10-4 record overall.