Box Score
Utica, NY (2/22/14) - The Utica College men's basketball team ended the year on a high note as the Pioneers closed out the game on a 23-14 run in a span of 8:05 to earn a 95-81 victory over visiting Houghton College Saturday afternoon. Five players scored in double-figures for the Pioneers, including Aaron Nevins (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) (16), Chris Jeffers (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) (16), Marion Lewis (Bronx, NY/Lehman) (15), Agim Hamit (12) and Ian Henderson (Chateaugay, NY/Chateaugay) (11).

Utica closes out its 2013-14 campaign with an 8-17 overall record and the Pioneers are expected to return all five starters to next year's roster. They are also expected to return multiple players who suffered season-ending injuries, including former Empire 8 All-Conference selection Connor Maisch, who led the nation in 3-point shooting % one year ago.

Houghton jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the first two minutes of play, but the Pioneers answered with a 29-18 run in a span of the next 9:13 to take their first lead of the contest, 29-27, with 8:10 to go in the first half play. Hamiti, who scored a career-high 16 points Friday night against Nazareth, led the Pioneer charge with ten points in the span. Jeffers also added seven points in the stretch, while Utica shot 10-for-19 from the floor.

UC closed out the first half with a 27-11 run to take a commanding 58-43 lead at the half. Junior Marion Lewis (Bronx, NY/Lehman) led the Pioneers late first half push with nine points and the Pioneer defense caused five turnovers. Utica was a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the final seven minutes of the first half.

Houghton opened the second half on a 20-9 run in the first 10:06 to cut their deficit to just four points, 67-63, with 9:55 remaining in regulation. That's when Utica answered with its final run of the game to earn the 14 point victory.

Marty Felicia (Phoenix, NY/Phoenix) scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting from the floor for the Pioneers. Jeffers also chipped in with six rebounds. He finished the season averaging 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

Houghton, a provisional member of the Empire 8 Conference, capped its season with a 3-22 overall record. The Highlanders were led by 18 points from senior guard Cullen Overhalt, who was playing in his final collegiate game. Sophomore guard Brandon Camacho added 15 points, while Brennen Campbell came off the bench and scored 13 points for the visitors.

Utica guard Aaron Nevins (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) closed out his junior campaign leading the team with an average of 16.9 points per game. He also recorded 102 assists.