The Utica College men's basketball team looks to snap its five game losing streak and get their first win of the season this Friday as the Pioneers play at home against Misericordia University… Game time is schedule for 7 p.m.
 
Last Time Out:  The Pioneers lost at home to Montclair State 67-58 last Sunday (11/27/16)… Utica College junior Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) registered his sixth career double-double… Utica had a 39-33 lead heading out of the first half, but Montclair went on a game-closing 8-1 run in four minutes of the second half to take a 63-54 lead with just one-minute left to play… Utica now has a 0-5 overall record after the loss… It is the first time since the 2013-14 season that this team has lost five or more games in a row. 

Go 4 The Gold: The Pioneers will be wearing gold shoelaces during Friday's game to raise awareness for childhood cancer… UC will be supporting the Go 4 the Goal organization, which helps kids with cancer achieve their goals… Fans who would like to donate towards the cause are encouraged to visit http://www.go4thegoal.org/ and click the "DONATE NOW" tab in the upper right hand corner. 
 
Outstanding Freshmen: Pioneers' freshman Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) scored a career-high nine points in Sunday's game… Freshman Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) made his first career start with the team last Sunday… He earned a career-high five points and nine rebounds.  
 
Top Performing Players: Besides recording his sixth career double-double, Iton also has a team-high 86 points this season… Iton is ranked eighth in the Empire 8 in scoring (Avg/G 17.2) and fifth in rebounding (Avg/G 8.4)… Junior Christian Rodriguez (Queens, NY/Cayuga Community College) and freshman Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) have each tallied a team-high six three-point baskets this year… Junior Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) ranks second, in the Empire 8, in steals per game (Avg./G 2.6) and fifth in assists per game (Avg./G 4.4). 
 
Team's Ranking: Utica is ranked first in the Empire 8 Conference in blocked shots  (Avg/G 4.00)… They are also ranked first in the Empire 8 in three-point field goal percentage defense (0.284)… The team is even ranked second in the Empire 8 in scoring defense (Avg/G 68.2) and third in offensive rebounds. 
 
Scouting Misericordia University: The Cougars are 4-1 this season… The team lost at home against Swarthmore 83-75 last Sunday… Misericordia sophomore Jason Kenny scored a game-high 26 points in the loss and senior James Hawk had 10 rebounds… Misericordia is ranked first in the MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference) in scoring (93.4 Avg/G)… They are also ranked first in the MAC Conference in offensive rebounding (47.8 Avg/G)… Kenny has a team high 127 points, 15 three-point shots, and a 25.4 scoring average this season.
 
Against the Cougars: The Pioneers lost to Misericordia University 81-69 on the road last season (12/07/15)… Utica's Robert Tutein (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) led the team with 24 points and six rebounds in the loss… Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) had 11 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. 
 
Looking ahead: After Friday night's game, the Pioneers will be on the road to play SUNY Canton (12/6) and Mount Saint Mary College (12/10). 

Pioneers All-Access: Make sure to catch live video, audio and stats for all Utica College home games on Pioneers All-Access: www.ucpioneers.com/watch… Live audio is provided by Utica College's student radio, WPNR 90.7 FM.