Westfield, MA - A late comeback by the Utica College men's basketball team fell just short in the Westfield State Tournament Championship, as it dropped its first game of the year by a score of 57-51 Saturday evening against Rutgers-Newark.

Utica came out of the gates firing, as it held the lead for the first 15 minutes of this contest. Rutgers-Newark took its first lead of the game at the 4:22 mark by a score of 23-22, and then went on an 11-2 run to close out the half with a 34-24 advantage.

Rutgers-Newark picked up right where they left off coming out of the locker room, working a 14-point lead (48-34), its largest margin of the game, at the 11:05 mark. 

This Pioneers sparked a comeback, which was started by three Kimedrick Murphy (Hudson, NY/Hudson) free throws to cut the deficit to 48-37.

The Scarlet Knights responded with a layup, which was followed by a Pioneer's 10-2 run. Junior guard Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) accounted for four of these points, while Murphy added one basket in the paint. Senior forward Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) netted big 3 ball with 1:52 left to play to draw the Pioneers within three, 52-49.

Rutgers-Newark was able to weather the storm, as it held the Pioneers to only two points in the final 1:52.

Murphy was the catalyst for Utica all afternoon on both ends of the court, as he finished with a game-high four blocks while adding a team-high 14 points. Sophomore guard Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) finished scoring in double digits as well with 10 points. He also added six rebounds.

Freshman forward Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) continued a very impressive start to his collegiate career, posting seven points on one 3 and two baskets. Senior forward Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) led the team in rebounds with eight.

This loss marks the first of the year for Utica, as it drops to 1-1 after beating the host team Westfield State last night. The Pioneers return to Utica for their home-opener this Friday against Cazenovia at 7 p.m.