UTICA, NY - Behind an outstanding offensive performance by Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), the Utica College men's basketball team defeated the SUNY Poly Wildcats 79-59 on the road on Tuesday evening. 
 
Morreale's big night started by converting an and-one layup just over a minute into the game and then followed it up with a three-pointer two trips down the court later. Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) broke an 8-8 tie with 15 minutes remaining the first which gave the Pioneers a lead they would not surrender for the remainder of the night. 
 
Utica shot over 50 percent from the floor in the first half for 42 points before the break while holding the Wildcats to 26 points on 40 percent shooting. Despite only one made three in the second half, the Pioneers offense kept their foot on the gas throughout the final 20 minutes. UC turned its 14 point lead into 21 points over the first five minutes of the second with baskets by Kimedrick Murphy (Hudson, NY/Hudson), Chris Green (White Plains, NY/Alexander Hamilton), Hopkins and Morreale. 
 
The Pioneers' lead extended to 29 points at one point in the final frame as the team cruised to a 20 point win over the crosstown rival Wildcats. While the offense led the way, the Utica defense held one of the nation's top scorers, Josh Gregory, to six points on just four shot attempts and held Poly to 1-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. 
 
Morreale totaled 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 from deep. Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) added 14 points in 18 minutes off of the bench with a 5-for-8 shooting night that included two threes. Hopkins went on to finish with 10 points and a team high four assists while Murphy grabbed a team high 10 boards in the win. 
 
UC (14-3, 7-1 Empire 8) returns to conference play on Friday when the team travels to Keuka Park to take on the Keuka College Wolves at 7:30 p.m.