UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team fell to Empire 8 Conference opponent Nazareth 79-50 on Saturday. Robert Tutein (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) led the Pioneers with 23 points and added four rebounds, and one block.

Utica fell to 5-10 overall with a 2-5 conference record. UC is back in action on the road against conference opponent Hartwick College on Wednesday. The contest is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Nazareth improved to 11-6 overall and 7-1 in conference play as four Golden Flyers scored in double-digits.

Nazareth outscored Utica 45-28 in the first half thanks to a 26-9 run over a 9:37 run to end the first quarter. The second half was more of the same as the Golden Flyers put up 34 while UC only put up 22.

Mitch Ford led Nazareth with a game high 26 points while Maurice Mills added 16 points for the Golden Flyers.

Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) was the only other Utica player to put up 10 or more points netting 10 points. Mike Cannizzo (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) was third on the team tallying six points in only four minutes of play.