Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team will begin conference play on Tuesday, as it hosts Stevens Institute of Technology. This Empire 8 matchup is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers fell to 0-9 so far this season after their loss to Hamilton College on New Year's Eve. Utica kept the game close in the first half as it trailed by a score of 45-41 going into the locker rooms. Freshman
Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) led all players in scoring at halftime with 11 points. The Continentals strung together two strong runs in the second half to take control of the game, as the final score was 99-74. Remley led the Pioneers in scoring with 17 points, while
Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) added 16 points and a game high of nine boards.
Team Leaders: Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) is currently the team leader in both points and rebounds this season. Iton is averaging 16.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game so far.
Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) leads the team in assists with 3.3 per game and steals with 2.1 per game. Remley is the top 3-point shooter for the Pioneers as he is shooting 37% from long range.
Contributing Freshmen: Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) has solidified his role in the starting line up as he earned the start in each of the last five games. Since becoming a starter he has scored double digits twice including a double double against Mount Saint Mary (12/10/16).
Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) has now started in three consecutive games for the Pioneers and averages 9.4 points a game, which is second highest on the team.
Kyler Mower (Richfield Springs, NY/Richfield Springs) recorded a career high in points with seven, in Utica's last contest against Hamilton.
Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) is one of two freshmen on the team that have played in every game so far this season. Jollie's season high in points was recorded against Montclair St. where he scored nine points.
Empire 8 Competition: The Pioneers are entering 2017 with the beginning of conference play. Starting on Tuesday against Stevens, Utica will be playing only Empire 8 opponents for the remainder of the regular season. Last year UC finished the season with a conference record of 4-12 and missed the Empire 8 tournament.
Scouting Stevens: Stevens Institute of Technology currently holds a record of 6-2 this season. The team defeated Thomas College 78-74 in its last contest. Patrick Barron is the team's leading scorer, averaging 15.6 points per game. Ryan Coffee is the top rebounder averaging seven boards a game. Evan Klimchak (14.6) and Spencer Cook (11.8) both average double digit points as well. As a team, Steven's scores 80 points per game and shoot 44% from the field.
Against Stevens: In the last matchup between these two schools, Stevens came away victorious by a score of 94-67. Klimchak led the game in scoring as he recorded 19 points and eight rebounds for the Ducks.
Agim Hamiti (Prishtina, Kosovo/Syracuse Academy of Science) was the high scorer for UC as he finished with 10 points and four boards in the game. Stevens shot the ball very well throughout the contest, earning a field goal percentage of 52.5%. The Pioneers have not defeated Stevens since the 2008-2009 season.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will return to action on Thursday for their matchup with conference opponent Hartwick College. The game will be held at the Utica College Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, beginning at 8 p.m.
