Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team hosted St. John Fisher Friday night for an Empire 8 matchup. The Pioneers earned a big win, 68-66, in a close game to hand Fisher its first conference loss of the season. Tonight's victory marks UC's first over Fisher since February 3^rd, 2012.
 
Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) was feeling it, shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc, on his way to a team-high 20 points. Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) put up 13 points, while freshman Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) added 12 coming off the bench. Junior guard Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) finished with six points and led the team with eight rebounds, as Utica improved to 8-7 overall and 2-4 in E8 play.
 
The visiting Cardinals held an eight point lead with under six minutes left to go in the first half before UC found its rhythm and stormed back. Utica outscored Fisher 21-4 to close the half, as a buzzer beater by freshman Chris Green (White Plains, NY/Alexander Hamilton) gave the team a 35-28 lead at halftime.
 
The Pioneer lead would grow to 11 points early on in the second half, but Fisher would soon begin to close the gap. With six minutes left in regulation the scoreboard was tied at 59-59. UC had multiple players go to the free throw line down the stretch, resulting in clutch free throws to hold off the Cardinals. St. John Fisher got an open shot from beyond the arc as time expired, but it rimmed out to seal the win for Utica.
 
Gashi, Jollie, Coston, and freshman Justin Worth (Catskill, NY/Catskill) all made important shots at the charity stripe during crunch time to aid the winning effort. UC also shot well from downtown in the contest, going 10-for-21 from 3-point territory. The win puts the team back in the win column, as the Pioneers start off their five game home stand on the right note.
 
St. John Fisher is now 10-5 overall and 5-1 in the conference after the loss on the road. Ryan Henderson led the team with 25 points and teammate James Leone double-doubled with 11 points and 11 boards.
 
The Pioneers are back on their home court tomorrow for another conference game against Elmira College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.