Utica, NY (2-4-13) – The Utica College men's basketball team returns to its home hardwood Tuesday to welcome Hartwick College to the Clark Athletic Center for an 8 p.m. tip-off.  The game will sponsor the Play 4 Kay Initiative in support of breast cancer research.

The Pioneers: Utica currently holds an 8-13 overall record including a 5-6 mark in the Empire 8 Conference and is in fifth place … UC has won three of its last five contests beating Elmira, Nazareth and Alfred while losing on the road to St. John Fisher (69-79) and Stevens (77-85).

Maisch Making Moves: Junior Connor Maisch has shot himself into the national highlight as he is among the nation's leaders in three-point shooting … The 6-foot-5 forward is currently second in the country in three-point percentage with an impressive 51.6% while sixth in three-pointers made with 3.3 per game … He is en route to breaking the college's single-season record of 70 set last season by teammate Matt Baldwin (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) … The sharpshooter needs three baskets from downtown to shatter the record … He leads the conference in three-point shooting and is also fifth in league scoring (16.2 p/gm).

Jeffers' Workload:  Junior two-sport athlete Chris Jeffers (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) is currently among the league leaders in several categories … Jeffers is second in rebounding averaging  8.8 per game and has tallied six double-doubles so far … He is also fifth in field goal percentage (57.7%), 13th in free throw percentage (68.2%) and 14th in points (249) and steals (1.1 p/gm).

The Hawk Report:  Hartwick College holds an 11-9 overall record and is in sixth place behind Utica with a 3-6 mark in the E8 … The Hawks have fell upon hard times of late losing three straight, all on the road … Prior to their recent fall, Hartwick were winners of four consecutive, on its home court, beating Fisher, Alfred, Houghton, Nazareth and nationally-ranked Stevens … UC beat Wick earlier this season in Oneonta, NY … Previously, the Hawks were winners of six-straight against the Pioneers.

Around the League: Stevens Institute of Technology (17-3, 8-2 E8) and Ithaca College (14-6, 8-2 E8) currently sit atop the conference standings in a share of first place … St. John Fisher College (13-8, 7-4) is presently in the third spot while Nazareth College (13-8, 5-5 E8) holds the fourth  and final seed ahead of UC … Utica currently sits on the bubble in fifth place with three big conference battles remaining against Hartwick, Ithaca and Elmira … Hartwick (11-9, 3-6 E8) occupies sixth place while Elmira (5-15, 2-7 E8) and Alfred (6-14, 2-8 E8) reside at the bottom of the standings.

Play 4Kay:  The 2013 Play 4Kay initiative (formerly known as WBCA Pink Zone) is an opportunity for a nation of coaches to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond … Last season the Pioneers raised over $500 which was donated to the Perfect Fit Boutique … A 50/50 raffle will also take place with proceeds going to the Perfect Fit Boutique ... The boutique specializes in products for post mastectomy women who are breast cancer survivors, and provides bras and bathing suites unique to the needs of these patients ... The Pioneers have hosted this event for the past four years, and have managed to raise over $1700.

Up Next: Following Tuesday's game, UC returns to the hardwood Friday for its final regular season home game as its hosts Houghton College … Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the Clark Athletic Center …  The Highlanders, a recent new addition to the Empire 8, beat UC earlier this season, 85-66, on Jan. 11th on their home court.