UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team enters its full slate of Empire 8 contests this week. The team will host St. John Fisher on Tuesday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to face Keuka on Saturday, January 7, at 4 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend the home game can tune in for live video and/or stats via https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. Keuka will provide live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/3lB0j4g. 
 
Where We Stand: The Pioneers are tied for first in the Empire 8 standings at 7-2 overall and 2-0 in Empire 8 play. Utica continues to score at will and leads the conference averaging 84.4 points per game. The team is extremely balanced, ranking top-three in all field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, and blocked shots. Utica also has a plus 3.44 turnover margin per game, leading to many fastbreak opportunities for the team. The Pioneers' success on both sides of the ball has propelled the team to its fantastic start and rank second in the Empire 8 with a plus 12 scoring margin.
 
Serving Justice: Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) has been having a career season and has been scoring at an unbelievable pace. The senior has poured in 179 points this season and is tied for second in the Empire 8 averaging 19.9 points per game and is .5 behind the leader. A major part of his success has been his ability to get to the hoop and finish his contested layups. Brantley has been able to get to the free-throw line and is shooting .841 percent this season. The Catskill, NY native had a terrific Utica University Classic pouring in 49 points with 20 rebounds while going 17-18 from the line over the two games. His 179 points are the most he has ever recorded in a season, and he looks to keep being a top-scoring option for the Pioneers as the team prepares for Empire 8 play.
 
Call Back: Former Empire 8 Rookie of the Year Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) made his season debut this past week at the Utica University Classic. The junior stuffed the stat sheet compiling 12 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks over the two games. Call has always been a reliable piece of the offense, as he can score and does a great job at setting up his teammates. The Rome, NY native looks to be a key contributor on both sides of the ball and help Utica pick up wins.
 
Taking the Leap: Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) has been named Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the week, as announced by the league on Monday. Thompson continues his strong start to his career, as this is his second Empire 8 Rookie of the Week award this season. The freshman had a terrific Utica University Classic and poured in 14 points with five rebounds and three assists against Delhi. The Beacon, NY native was dominant, scoring eight points in overtime to help the team win the tight contest. Against Oswego, he scored 16 points and collected two rebounds. Thompson has now recorded more than 11 points in three straight contests and looks to keep giving the Pioneers a reliable scoring option.
 
Scouting Fisher: The Cardinals are 5-4 this season and 1-1 in Empire 8 play. The team has hit its stride as it won the Medgar Evers Tournament in convincing fashion with a 96-74 finals win over SUNY Canton on December 30. The Cardinals are led by Brendan Trapper and Daniel Cook, who each average more than 19 points per game. The dominant duo have both poured in more than 150 points this season and are top-five in the Empire 8 in scoring. The Cardinals have a trio of perimeter threats as Trapper, Ryan Gentile, and Jack Foley are all shooting above .400 percent with at least nineteen attempts. Sean Williams has 21 steals this season which ranks third in the Empire 8, and is the team's key defender.
 
Keuka Outlook: The Wolves are 5-2 this season and 1-1 in Empire 8 competition. The team beat the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford 82-78 on December 9 and will face Nazareth College on Tuesday, January 3, before hosting Utica on Saturday, January 7. The Wolves are led by Devin Milton, who leads the Empire 8 in scoring averaging 20.4 points per game. Alijah Ellis and Mason VanDeMortel are also key contributors averaging over 10.1 points per game and over 4.4 rebounds per game. Milton and VanDeMortel are both shooting over .318 percent from beyond the arc on over 41 attempts. Milton is third in the Empire 8 in three-point percentage shooting .439 from beyond the arc.
 
Up Next: After this week, Utica will begin a busy three-game week, starting on the road against Nazareth College on Tuesday, January 10, at 7:30 p.m.