KEUKA PARK, NY - The Utica College men's basketball team never trailed by more than three points in Friday night's game as Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) led the Pioneers to a 92-71 victory over Keuka College.
 
Morreale helped lead the Pioneers to a 2-0 start on the season thanks to a 25 point, two assist, seven rebound night. Four other players recorded double figures in points as Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) added 13, Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) 12, Chris Green (White Plains, NY/Alexander Hamilton) 11 and Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) 10. As a team the Pioneers shot 47 percent from the field, led by Morreale shooting 66 percent in his own right (10-15).
 
Ball movement was a large part of the Pioneers success on offense. Coston contributed five of the team's 20 assists while Lufkin and freshman Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) had four dishes each in the offensive clinic.
 
It was the depth of the Utica bench that stuck out in this conference matchup. Nine different Pioneers logged at least 13 minutes while 14 players overall appeared in the game, nine of whom added to the scoring outburst.
 
UC dominated the boards as the team finished with 47 rebounds overall compared to Keuka's 28. Utica had 16 offensive boards leading to 17 second-chance points while the Wolves finished with two on the night. The bench play was also a boost for the Pioneers as the reserves contributed 32 points while the defense held Keukas bench to 17.
 
Devin Milton and Nana Oteng led the way for the Wolves with 16 points each. Keuka was held to 43.9 percent shooting from the field and shot just 1-5 from three in the second half.
 
The Pioneers (2-0, 2-0 Empire 8) will play their home opener on Sunday as Alfred University (2-0, 2-0 E8) comes to town for a thrilling E8 matchup. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.