BUFFALO, NY - There was no shortage of milestones reached for the Utica University men's basketball team in its 77-59 road win over the Medaille University Mavericks on Saturday. With an early first half bucket,
Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) became the 17th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points and, with the win, the Pioneers have secured their best start through nine conference games in program history at 9-0.
Five players scored in double figures for Utica, led by a season high 18 points from
Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). Morreale finished the afternoon with 14 followed by
Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) with 12 and both
Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) and
Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) with 10. Morreale also led the team with seven rebounds while
Luke Bourgault (Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute), Call and Coston each had over five themselves.
As a team, the Pioneers shot over 52 percent from the field while holding Medaille to 37.7 percent as well as 20 percent from three. Utica also forced the Mavericks into committing 11 turnovers while being credited with six steals, four of which coming from Brantley and
Griffin Barasa (Clearwater, FL/Calvary Christian) combined.
Utica's only deficits in the game came in the early stages in 2-0 and 4-2 scores which lasted a combined one minute. With the score 4-4, the Pioneers went on a 16-1 run to take a convincing 20-5 lead. Its 15 point lead would last until halftime as the team went into the break up 35-20.
The Pioneers eventually grew its lead to 30 points midway through the second half after a pair of successful Coston free throws. The Mavericks chipped away throughout the remainder of the game to bring its deficit under 20 points while Utica ultimately pulled away with an 18 point win.
Utica (14-2, 9-0 Empire 8) returns home next Friday, January 27 to host Hartwick college in the team's Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Game. Tip-off from Miga Court is set for 7:30 p.m.
