Box Score Utica, NY (1-24-14) – The Utica College men's basketball team lost to visiting Hartwick College 93-82 in Empire 8 Conference action at the Clark Athletic Center Friday night.  UC's Ian Henderson (Chateaugay, NY/Chateaugay) led the Pioneers with a career-high 23 points, including 17 in the first seven minutes of the contest, but it was not enough as the Hawks completed the season sweep and improved to 11-6 overall and remain at the top of the conference with a 6-1 record.

UC drops to 6-10 overall including a 1-6 mark in the Empire 8 Conference and is right back on the hardwood Saturday afternoon as its plays host to Stevens Institute of Technology for a 2 p.m. set tip-off at the Clark Athletic Center. The Hawks, now 11-6 overall while 6-1 in E8 play, remain on the road as they travel to Ithaca, NY Saturday to face the Bombers for a 2 p.m. tip.

The home Pioneers jumped out to an early eight point lead off the hand of Henderson as he drained three straight shots including two from downtown. Utica would fight to hold onto the lead over the first 10 minutes of play before Wick took its first lead of the game, 29-28, at the nine-minute mark. The visitors then used a 25-11 run to close out the first half as they cushioned a 52-39 advantage into the break.

The Pioneers outscored the Hawks in the second half, 43-41, however were unable to regain enough momentum to pull any closer than nine points of the lead as Wick went on to win its fourth straight including three consecutive in league play.

The Hawks shot 55.6% from the floor and 44.4% from behind the arc compared to UC's 40.3% on the hardwood and a dismal 26.6% from downtown. 

UC's Aaron Nevins (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) chipped in with 14 points and seven assists, while Chris Jeffers (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) added 12 points and six rebounds for Utica.

Hartwick's big men Jared Suderley and Matt Petruccione combined for 38 points and 16 rebounds as the duo each posted double-doubles for the Hawks. Suderley registered a game-high 26 points and 16 grabs while Petruccione added 12 points on 10 boards to keep the Hawks atop the conference standings.