Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team advanced to 6-2 with a 101-89 win over the Clarkson Golden Knights Saturday afternoon at Miga Court. With this win, the Pioneers remain perfect (3-0) at home heading into Christmas break.
 
UC made the first run of this contest at the 12:18 mark in the first half, outscoring the Golden Knights 12-3 over the next four minutes of play. Junior guard Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) and freshman forward Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) kicked off this run with back-to-back baskets from downtown to increase Utica's advantage from 16-15 to 22-15. 
 
Sophomore forward Jackson Sullivan (Fairport, NY/Fairport) knocked down another 3-pointer two possessions later. Clarkson responded with a 3 of its own, but Sullivan answered right back with another 3-ball to increase the Pioneers' lead to 28-18.
 
Utica kept its stride the second half, as senior forward Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) nailed a 3-pointer to increase his team's lead to 44-34. The Pioneers continued to work their lead, building a 14-point advantage (79-65) with 9:05 left to play.
 
The Golden Knights were able to string together a run in the latter parts of this contest, drawing within only four points with 5:34 left in regulation. UC fought back with five unanswered points and would hold the lead for the remainder of the game.
 
Freshman forward Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and sophomore guard Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) led the Pioneers with 20 points. While Morreale typically does his work from behind the arc, he proved that he has the ability finish strong at the basket this afternoon. The 6-foot-5 forward finished the night shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. He also added a team-high six rebounds, a high he shared with another freshman in Brantley.
 
Hopkins' stat line was very similar, as he finished the afternoon with two 3-pointers while shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line.
 
Lufkin added 11 points and a team-high three assists in the effort, while Remley matched him with 11 points of his own.
 
The Pioneers return to action on December 29 and 30, as they are set to host the 2019 Utica College Classic. Utica will open up this four team-tournament against Anna Maria at 4 p.m. on Sunday before facing SUNY Delhi the following day at 3 p.m. RPI rounds out this tournament pool. For additional information about the Utica College Classic, be sure to check out the tournament page HERE.