Utica, NY—The Utica College men's basketball team is back home on Tuesday for another Empire 8 Conference bout with Hartwick College. Tip-off is set for 7 30 p.m.
 
Recent Cancellation: Over the past weekend Utica College had to postpone its home game against E8 opponent Elmira College. This game will be played at a later date that has yet to be determined.
 
Last Time Out: In their last game the Pioneers took down St. John Fisher, 68-66, in a thriller of a contest. Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) helped spark a 21-4 UC run at the end of the first half to give his team an advantage heading into halftime. Some clutch free throws down the stretch put Utica in the lead with time running out, as Fisher was unable to make a shot at the buzzer. Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) led the way with 20 points (5-for-7 3pt), as UC beat Fisher for the first time since 2012.
 
Nail Biters: So far this season Utica has played in seven games that have been decided by six points or less. Of this batch of games, the team has come away with a record of 2-5 in close finishes. The Pioneers have gone into overtime in three contests this year, including a double-overtime game against Mount St. Mary earlier in the season. The experience gained through playing in such close games is vital and may pay off later down the line.
 
Looking for Revenge: Included in these close-knit games for UC is a recent overtime loss against none other than the Hartwick Hawks. On Tuesday the Pioneers will be looking for payback after falling to Hartwick, 74-72, on the road just one week ago. Utica had four players reach double-digits in the scoring column, with Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) leading the pack with 19. Hartwick's Brandon LaForest was the game's top scorer, finishing with 24 points. UC was down two with eight seconds left in overtime but was unable to get a shot off for a chance to win. The team will now host Hartwick as it looks to get the win to even the season series at 1-1.
 
Defending Home Court: Utica is in the middle of a nice mid-season home stand that includes Tuesday's game against Hartwick and two more contests this weekend with Stevens and Nazareth. The team is 3-3 at home so far this year and averages 80.8 points per game playing on the Doris Wester and Walter E. Miga Court. In home games the Pioneers are shooting 43% from the field, 34.4% from downtown, and 71.2% at the charity stripe.
 
Scouting Hartwick: The Hartwick Hawks are heading into Tuesday night's E8 matchup looking to win their third straight, and improve upon their 3-4 record in conference (7-9 overall). The team last defeated Elmira College, 108-98, in a high scoring affair that featured five Hartwick players scoring 14 or more points. Kelly Tommy led all scorers with 27 and teammate Brandon LaForest neared a triple-double as he finished with 17 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Tommy, LaForest, as well as Pat Garey, and Kyle Bradshaw, are all averaging double digit points on the season.
 
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers conclude their home stand this weekend with games against Stevens and Nazareth. UC tips off with Stevens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and then plays Nazareth on Saturday at 4 p.m.