Box Score HOUGHTON, NY - The Utica University basketball team secured its first ever outright conference title while setting a program record with 12 straight wins after a 71-59 road win over Houghton College on Friday night. 
 
Houghton kept the game interesting though the first 10 minutes, holding a 22-18 lead through the midway point of the half. Down 27-21 with seven minutes left in the half, the Pioneers traded two three-point shots for one thanks to Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) and Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) to bring the game within three points. Prior to the half, Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Hopkins nailed a pair of three's each to allow Utica to take a 40-33 lead into halftime. 
 
The Pioneers wouldn't surrender the lead from that point on, out-scoring the Highlanders 31-26 over the final 20 minutes thanks to over 40 percent shooting from the field and three. 
 
The win not only marked the first regular season Empire 8 crown for Utica, but it also set a program record with an active winning streak of 12 games. 
 
Hopkins recorded yet another 20-point game, totaling 22 in 23 minutes while shooting 8-for-13 from the floor and 4-for-6 from three. Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) netted 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 4-for-8 from three while recording a team-high three steals. Chris Green (White Plains, NY/Alexander Hamilton) and Brantley went on to produce nine points each in the conference-clinching win. 
 
Utica (21-3, 14-1 Empire 8) will look to keep its winning streak alive tomorrow in its final regular season game at Alfred University. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. Regardless of the outcome, the Pioneers will host the Empire 8 Conference Semifinals and Finals this upcoming Friday and Saturday. All other information regarding the tournament will be TBD.