UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team lost a tough one 94-67 to visiting Empire 8 Conference opponent Stevens on Saturday. Agim Hamiti (Prishtina, Kosovo/Syracuse Academy of Science) lead the team with 10 points while Justin Mayers (Hastings, NY/Hastings on the Hudson) chipped in nine points.
 
Utica's record fell to 6-16 overall with a 3-11 Empire 8 record while Stevens improved to 11-11 overall with a 7-6 Empire 8 record. The Ducks have now won two in a row.
 
The Pioneers return to action Friday as they hit the road to take on Empire 8 opponent Ithaca College (2/19/16). The team closes out the regular season Saturday on the road against Nazareth College (2/20/16).
 
Stevens had three players with 10 or more points and were lead by Evan Klimchak and Kevin Zychowski who had 19 points apiece. Alex Lorenz was third on the team and chipped in 14 points.
 
The Ducks led in points in the paint (34-24), points off of turnovers (24-14), and bench points (46-32) as they took an early lead and never looked back. UC was outscored in the first half 50-17 but outscored Stevens 50-44 in the second half.
 
Mike Cannizzo (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) and Jawan Simmons (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) each added eight points for UC. Sophomore Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) grabbed a team high six rebounds while chipping in a game high five steals.