UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team won its second straight game on Saturday afternoon as the Pioneers topped host Houghton College 87-80 in Empire 8 Conference action. Junior guard Robert Tutein (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) netted a career-high 33 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor to pace the Pioneers. Agim Hamiti (Prishtina, Kosovo/Syracuse Academy of Science), Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) and Conor Maisch (Kingston, NY/John A. Coleman) each added nine points as UC improved its overall record to 10-14 and 6-9 in the E8.

The Highlanders opened the contest on an 8-0 run in the first 2:38 until the Pioneers rattled off an outstanding 21 consecutive points to take a 21-8 lead at the 11:36 marker of the first half. Houghton continued to battle and cut its deficit to 40-37 at the half. 

Houghton took a two point advantage early in the second half until the Pioneers went on a 14-2 run to take a commanding 10 point lead, 56-46, with 13:15 to go in the contest.

The Pioneers were able to cling to a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half, including their largest lead of the game (16 points) with 2:03 left, and they went on to earn a seven point victory.

Utica senior classmates Ian Henderson (Chateaugay, NY/Chateaugay) and Rich Smith (Albany, NY/La Salle Institute) combined for 14 points and Griffin Kelly (Watervliet, NY/Watervliet) added six points off the bench for the Pioneers.

UC was stellar from the free throw line with a 26-for-32 effort in the victory.  Tutein led the way with an 8-for-12 showing from the charity stripe.

Brandon Camacho netted 17 points for the Highlanders, while Jordan Scott chipped in with a team-best 21 points off the bench. Houghton's' record moved to 5-19 overall and 1-14 in the conference.

Utica returns to the hardwood for its final contest of the season at home next Friday when the Pioneers host Alfred University on Senior Night at the Clark Athletic Center (8 p.m.).