Box Score Hamilton 69, Utica 62 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (12/1/2011) - Hamilton College turned the tables on Utica in the second half, holding the Pioneers to just 28 points, as the Continentals earned a 69-62 victory over UC at the Clark Athletic Center on Thursday night.  The College honored Director of Athletics Jim Spartano for 38 years of service at halftime, and 1,054 fans came out to the game to say farewell to Spartano, who will retire on Dec. 31. 

The Pioneers snapped a three game winning streak and moved its record to 3-2 overall, while Hamilton's perfect record remained unblemished as the Continentals improved to 6-0 on the year. 

Junior forward Jeff Ward (Ossining, NY/Ossining High School) led UC with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Meyer (Salt Point, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) chipped in with 13 rebounds and 12 points.  Hamilton's Pat Sullivan netted 18 points and nabbed seven rebounds, while Greg Newton tallied 16 points and five assists.

It truly was a tale of two halves as the Pioneers held the visitors to just 28 points in the first half, leading the entire way, as they took a 34-28 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Pioneers jumped out to a commanding ten point advantage, 18-8, by causing five turnovers and holding the Continentals to just four field goals in the first ten minutes. 

UC went on to extend that lead to as many as 17 points with 3:46 to go in the first half of play, before Hamilton answered with an 11-0 surge to close out the half, trailing by just six. 

The Continentals used an 8-2 run to open the second half to tie the contest at 36-36 early in the second.  The first 13 minutes of the second half featured five lead changes and five ties, until Hamilton used a 7-0 run with just under six minutes to go to put the game out of reach.  UC was able to cut that lead to four, 56-52, with 3:34 remaining, but Matt Dunn responded with a three point dagger on Hamilton's next possession to essentially seal the victory. 

Hamilton's Hans Schulte added 13 points and a game-high six assists, while Joseph Lin came off the bench and tallied eight points.  Junior Matt Balwdin scored 10 points for UC, while senior guard Reggie German (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) added eight rebounds and seven points.  Ten players scored at least two points for UC. 

The Continentals now lead the all-time series 75-27 (dating back to 1948).  The two programs have now played each other at least once every school year for 59 consecutive years.  Hamilton is 11-2 against UC dating back to the year 2000. 

Make sure to check your local listings for replays of the game on Time Warner Cable Sports. 

UC returns to the hardwood at home on Tuesday when the Pioneers take on their other local rival, SUNYIT, in a non-conference match up at 7 p.m.

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