CLINTON, NY - Despite a valiant second half comeback by the Hamilton College Continentals, the Utica University men's basketball team outlasted its host 76-70 on Thursday night. The win moves Utica to 6-0 on the early season, adding the best start in program history since the 1995-96 season. 
 
The Pioneers put their foot down on the gas in the first half as the team found itself ahead 39-23 entering halftime. Utica held Hamilton without a point through the first 4:55 of the first half before a Continentals three-point bucket made it a 6-3 game. Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) went on to score the next five points in the game while a Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) jumper put the Pioneers up 13-3 with just under 13 left. 
 
Hopkins pulled off a heat-check in the ensuing minutes, netting eight of the team's next 10 points to help Utica jump ahead 23-14. Another three by Hopkins as well as clutch points down the stretch of the half by Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) and Brantley played a large part in the team's 16 point halftime lead. 
 
Utica shot 48.9 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes of action while holding the Continentals to 32.3 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from downtown. 
 
However, Hamilton did anything but shy away over the final 20 minutes of play. Although the Pioneers claimed to their same 16 point advantage with just around 8:30 left in the game, Hamilton sparked a 19-8 run over 4:30 to cut Utica's lead to 64-60. 
 
Baskets by Brantley, Hopkins and Morreale over a near three minutes stretch kept the Pioneers out front but Hamilton answered back with key shots of its own to keep within striking distance at 72-68 with 58 seconds to play. 
 
About 20 seconds later after Brantley went 1-for-2 from the free throw line, Hamilton stormed down the court for a quick layup to pull within three at 73-70 with 36 seconds to play. After being fouled, Hopkins also went 1-for-2 from the line to put Utica up 74-70. With the Continentals looking to extend the game, a plethora of missed shots led to a Morreale rebound as he was immediately fouled with 17 seconds to play. 
 
Morreale nailed both free-throws before coming up with a game sealing block in the paint as the Pioneers held on for the road win. 
 
Hopkins finished with team highs scoring 23 points (9-for-15 FG, 3-for-4 3FG) and with four assists. Brantley nearly had another double-double to his credit after an 18 point, eight rebound night. Coston (13) and Morreale (11) also finished with double-digit points while Morreale was second on the team with seven rebounds. Guard Griffin Barasa (Clearwater, FL/Calvary Christian) topped the team with both 10 boards and four steals which was a large part in the team's 13 points off turnovers. 
 
Utica (6-0, 2-0 Empire 8) will take the court next on Saturday, December 17 when the team hosts SUNY Cortland at 1 p.m.