UTICA, NY- Nationally ranked No. 3 Hamilton College pulled away in the second half to hand the Utica College men's basketball team its first loss of the season, 73-58, Thursday night at Miga Court in the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center.
 
The Pioneers fall to 4-1 on the year.  They will look to bounce back on Saturday, Dec. 8 as they travel to nearby Morrisville State.  Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Prior to the start of the game, the Pioneers hosted a formal dedication of their court to the life and legacy of Doris and Walt Miga.
 
Utica played Hamilton tough in the first half, and carried a 39-38 lead into halftime.  The teams remained close through the first 8:30 minutes of the second stanza, but Hamilton outscored the home team 13-3 over the next 5:38 to take control.  The Continentals kept up the pressure, going on a 9-1 run over the next two minutes to all but seal the victory.
 
Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) and Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) each had 10 points to lead the way, while Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) led the Pioneers with eight boards and he also tacked on nine points.  Freshmen classmates De'andrae McFarlane (Elizabeth, NJ/Union) and Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) each netted seven points in 15 minutes of action off the bench.  Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) and Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) combined for 11 points as well for Utica. 
 
Hamilton had four players score at least 10 points on the night, led by Kena Gilmour, who put down 21, and grabbed seven rebounds. The Continentals remain unbeaten as they improved to 5-0 on the season.