Rochester, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team faced #16 University of Rochester in the championship game of the Chuck Resler Tournament on Saturday. The Pioneers fell to the Yellowjackets, 72-67, dropping to 1-1 after opening weekend.
 
The teams traded baskets early on in the first half as the score read 12-11, in favor of Utica, with 11:55 on the clock. Neither squad could earn a significant lead, in a first half that featured seven lead changes and three ties. The Pioneers entered the halftime break trailing Rochester, 32-29.
 
After a slow start to the second half, the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run in 3:17 in order to take a 43-40 lead with 13:49 remaining. Joe Stortini (Rhinebeck, NY/RIT) scored eight straight points for UC during the big run. The Yellowjackets came back with a 9-2 run of their own, to take a 58-50 lead with less than six minutes in the game. Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) hit a big three to cut the lead down to four points in the final minute of play, but Utica's comeback came up short.
 
Joe Stortini (Rhinebeck, NY/RIT) was one of three Pioneers to reach double-digits, as he led UC with 16 points in the contest. Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) finished with 14 points (5-for-7 FG) and six rebounds, while Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) scored 10 points of his own. Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) led the team in rebounds, recording totals of eight points and eight boards.
 
Ryan Clamage led the way for the U of R with 29 points and six rebounds. Tucker Knox added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Jacob Wittig scored 11 points on the night. Andrew Lundstrom contributed with seven points and seven boards, as Rochester improved to 2-0 on the season.
 
The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday for another away game, as they face-off against SUNY Poly. The contest is scheduled to tip-off at 5 p.m.