Houghton, NY -- The Utica College men's basketball team defeated Houghton College on the road on Friday, 71-59. The Pioneers improve to 7-15 overall and are 7-6 in Empire 8 action. 

Houghton jumped out to an early 8-3 lead in the first three minutes of the game. However, the Pioneers fought back with an 8-0 run in the span of just one minute to take an 11-8 lead with 16:15 remaining in the first half. UC increased its lead after going on another 8-0 run in 1:57, to make the score 19-12 with 11:22 on the clock. The Pioneers closed out the half on a 12-2 run in the final 3:34, to head into the locker room with a 40-26  lead. Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) led all scorers at the half with a total of 10 points, while Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) contributed with nine points and six rebounds. 

Remley started off the second half with the five quick points in the first two minutes to give Utica a 45-26 lead. The teams began to trade baskets, but the Highlanders were not able to close the gap throughout the half. Iton made a free throw with 6:28 left in the game making the score 61-40, as UC earned its largest lead of the game of 21 points. The Pioneers were able to hold onto their lead as they were able to close out the game, earning the 12 point victory. 

Remley finished with a team-high of 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field. Iton finished one rebound shy of a double-double, registering 15 points and nine boards. Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) did it all in the contest, recording totals of six points, a career-high of 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) contributed with 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists. 

The Pioneers shot a season best 50% from behind the 3-point arc, while holding Houghton to a 3-point field goal percentage of 23.8%. UC out-rebounded its opponent 41-34 in the game. Utica was able to draw contact consistently throughout the game and shot 17-for-25 from the free throw line, while Houghton only took 10 foul shots all game. 

Houghton's leading scorer in the contest was Phil Pellegrino, as he registered a game-high of 23 points and six rebounds. Dylan Lambert added 17 points and seven rebounds of his own. Johnathan Stowe ended the game with six points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. The Highlanders fall to 8-14 overall and 3-10 in the Empire 8. 

The Pioneers will be back on the court Saturday, as they face Alfred University (9-13 overall, 6-7 E8) on the road. This Empire 8 contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.