Utica, NY - The Utica College men's basketball team tallied its third-straight victory in a 77-65 win over the Hartwick Hawks Tuesday night to advance to 15-4. The one-two punch of freshman forward Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and sophomore guard Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) proved to be too much for the Hawks, as the two underclassmen each netted a team-high 19 points en route to the Pioneer's sixth conference win of the season.

Both went to work and did so efficiently, as Morreale finished the night shooting 75 percent (6-of-8) from the field while Hopkins was right behind him with a 50 percent clip on 5-of-10 shooting.

Junior center Kimedrick Murphy's (Hudson, NY/Hudson) effort under the basket in this contest cannot be overlooked, as the 6-foot-8 center totaled a game-high 15 boards. The Empire 8's leading rebounder fell two boards short of his career-high 17-rebound outing on Jan. 18 against Nazareth.

The Pioneers came out on fire in this one, as they led by as much as 13 points in the first half of play.

Time and time again Hartwick weathered the storm, heading into the half with only a six-point deficit (37-31). The Hawks picked up right where they left off in the second half, drawing within two by way of seven unanswered points at the 15:55 mark. 

Utica's resiliency was ultimately the difference-maker in this one; The Hawks tied the game at 47, 49, 51 and 53, but the Pioneers never let them take the lead.

UC played a fast-paced game, outscoring Hartwick 16-4 on fast breaks.

Freshman point guard Brett Talbert (Deer Park, NY/Knox School) was the third-leading scorer for the Pioneers, finishing with nine points in addition to his five rebounds. 

Murphy added eight points to his 15-rebound stat line, while sophomore guard Chris Green (White Plains, NY/Alexander Hamilton) and freshman forward Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) were right behind him with seven points of their own.

Utica advances to 6-2 in Empire 8 play with this win and remains at third in the conference, trailing only Nazareth and St. John Fisher who both sit at 6-1.

The Pioneers return to action this Saturday for a road matchup against Empire 8 opponent Elmira at 5:30 p.m.