Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team defeated the Sage Gators at home on Tuesday, 74-57. Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) led the way with a game-high 27 points, as the Pioneers get a much-needed win in conference play.
 
Sage took an early lead, going on a 10-2 run in the opening four minutes of the game. UC turned it around in the period, thanks to sophomore Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley). Coston found a rhythm throughout the first half, scoring 15 points (5-for-8 FG) to lead all scorers at the break. Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian), who was inserted in to the starting lineup tonight, combined with Gashi to total 17 points in the half. Utica entered the locker room holding a 38-25 advantage.
 
The Pioneers kept control of the game from beginning to end in the second half, leading by as many as 22 points and holding a double-digit lead the entire half. Gashi drove the lane at will, getting good looks at the basket consistently on his way to dropping 17 second half points. UC improved to 11-9 overall and 5-6 against Empire 8 Conference opponents, after coasting to a 17-point victory.
 
Gashi's 27 led all scorers in the contest, while Coston finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Kimedrick Murphy (Hudson, NY/Hudson) dominated the interior on defense, tallying 14 boards and a career-high six blocks. Hopkins ended the game with 11 points and three steals. The Pioneers were 11-for-12 at the foul line in the win and shot over 50% from the field as a team.
 
Sage drops to 9-13 overall and 5-8 in conference play after the loss. Chris Kidd put up a team-high 18 points and snagged seven rebounds. Anthony Mitchell shot 7-for-12 on his way to scoring 15 points. The Gators were shut down from long-range, missing all 17 attempts from beyond the arc.
 
The Pioneers are on the road this weekend for double duty, as they are scheduled to face Elmira on Friday and Nazareth on Saturday. Friday's tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.