Elmira, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team was on the road Saturday, as they faced off against Elmira. The Pioneers won, 89-76, extending their winning streak to four games. Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) shot 9-for-12 from the floor and 8-for-9 at the foul line, on his way to scoring a game-high 26 points.
 
UC trailed Elmira by two points at the beginning of the second half, but a quick 10-3 run in the opening 1:42 of the second gave Utica a 47-42 lead. Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) and Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) combined for 29 second half points, helping the team extend its lead to 19 points with 3:35 left in the game. The Soaring Eagles cut the lead to just 10 points, but Ayarza's clutch free throw shooting down the stretch closed the door for any chance at an Elmira comeback. The Pioneers walked away with the 3-point victory, improving to 14-9 overall and 9-5 in Empire 8 competition.
 
In the first half, Elmira earned a 15-5 lead with the clock reading 13:52. Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) nailed both free throws at the 6:57 mark, to bring the deficit to single digits, as Utica trailed 29-21. The Pioneers went on a 10-2 run in 1:45, earning their first lead of the game (33-31) with 3:22 left until halftime. A late basket by Elmira's Jesse Adelson put the team up, 39-37, to end the first half of play. Taylor led Utica at the mid-game break with 10 points.
 
Iton led the way with 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) poured in eight points off the bench. Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) went a perfect 6-for-6 at the charity stripe, finishing with 13 points and seven boards. Freshman Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) tallied eight points and seven rebounds in the win.
 
Elmira was led by Henry Cuffee's 25 points and eight rebounds in the contest. Justin Porrett ended the game with 12 points and nine assists, while Shawn Backus put up 14 points and nine boards. Jesse Adelson poured in 11 points off the bench, as the Soaring Eagles drop to 3-19 overall and 1-12 in E8 play.
 
The Pioneers are back in action on Friday, as they host conference opponent Alfred. This key Empire 8 contest is set to tip-off at 6 p.m.