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Utica, NY (1/26/12)- The Utica College men's basketball team looks to get back on the right track this weekend as it hosts a pair of Empire 8 Conference games against Hartwick Friday night at 8 p.m., and then Stevens Institute of Technology Saturday at 4 p.m.

Utica lost to Ithaca College Tuesday night after letting a 15 point first half lead slip away, to lose by nine, 83-74.  Utica has struggled in the second half of games this season.  The Pioneers have led at the half in six different games, only to let the lead slip away in the final 20 minutes of play.   

Baldwin on a Hot Streak: Junior guard Matt Baldwin (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) has been hot as of late as he had his third straight 20+ point performance Tuesday against Ithaca ... He leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game

Consistent: Junior forward Jeff Ward (Ossining, NY/Ossining High School) stepped it up last game as he recorded his fifth double-double of the year ... Ward has been very consistent this season for the Pioneers, as he has averaged 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game
   
Hartwick: Hartwick (16-2, 5-2 Empire 8) is led by senior guard Mark Blazek and sophomore forward Jared Suderley … The last time Hartwick played Utica these two players combined for 61 out of the Hawk's 87 points, after shooting 9-for-15 from behind the arc … The Hawks are currently riding a four game win streak and are involved in a four way tie for first in the Empire 8 Conference. 

Stevens: Stevens (13-4, 5-2 Empire 8) is one of the four teams tied for first in the Empire 8 ... The Ducks are led by junior guard Sheldon Jones and senior forward Simon Smith who rank first and second in points per game in the Empire 8 ... Earlier this season when Utica traveled to Stevens, the Ducks pulled away in the second half and outscored the Pioneers 30-19 in the final 10:40 to earn a 95-76 victory ... Stevens has lost two-of-three as of late after a snapping a seven game win streak one week ago. 

Empire 8 Action: There is currently a four-way tie for first place in the Empire 8 Conference between Hartwick (16-2, 5-2 Empire 8), Stevens (13-4, 5-2 Empire 8), Nazareth (12-6, 5-2 Empire 8), and Ithaca (8-10, 5-2 Empire 8) … Alfred (11-5, 4-3 Empire 8) sits in fifth place, while St. John Fisher 9-9, 2-5 Empire 8) and Utica (6-12, 2-5 Empire 8) are tied for sixth … Elmira (0-17, 0-7 Empire 8) remains winless and is in eighth place.  

Back on the Court: The Pioneers go on the road for a pair of conference games next week as they take on St. John Fisher College Friday night at 8 p.m. before traveling to Nazareth College Saturday at 4 p.m.