HOBOKEN, NJ – The Utica College men's basketball team lost to host Stevens Institute of Technology 71-52 in Empire 8 Conference action Tuesday night at Canavan Arena.  The first half featured five ties and four lead changes but the Ducks used a 30-12 run in the final 12:40 of the contest to pull away from the Pioneers as the home team earned the key Empire 8 victory.  Stevens shot 11-of-17 from the floor and 6-of-11 from 3-point range in the second half stretch. 

Utica senior Conor Maisch (Kingston, NY/John A. Coleman) led the Pioneers with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point land while senior point guard Aaron Nevins (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) added 10 points five assists, four rebounds and three steals.  Senior Chris Jeffers (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) added seven points and six rebounds as the Pioneers record moved to 4-8 overall and 0-3 in the conference.  Stevens improved to 5-6 overall and 2-1 in Empire 8 play.

The Ducks were led by 17 points from sophomore guard Patrick Barron while classmate Otis Osman added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Stevens jumped out to a 16-9 lead in the first 7:38 of the contest but the Pioneers responded quickly with a 10-0 run in the next 3:05 to take a three point lead, 19-16, with 9:17 left in the first half of play.  Utica shot 4-for-4 in the stretch and the Pioneers were led by six points from Conor Maisch (Kingston, NY/John A. Coleman). 

The final nine minutes of the first half were back and forth as the Ducks managed a two point lead at the half, 36-34.

Stevens opened the second half on an 11-6 run to take a seven point lead, 47-40, with 11:45 to go in regulation. Utica trimmed the home teams lead to three points with 8:49 left until the Ducks made their final push to earn the victory.  Utica was outscored 35-18 in the final 20 minutes of action.

Stevens forced 16 Utica turnovers in the victory.  Ian Henderson (Chateaugay, NY/Chateaugay) came off the bench for Utica and netted six points, while freshman Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) and junior Robert Tutein (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) added five points each.

The Pioneers look to snap a three game slide on Friday night when they travel to Elmira College to take on the Soaring Eagles in E8 action at 8 p.m.