UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team is set for a trip of conference contests this week. The team will open up the week at No. 20 Nazareth College at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday prior to hosting Elmira College at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Alfred University at 4 p.m. on Saturday. 
 
Follow Along: Nazareth will provide live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/2MOZOjA. Those unable to attend either of the home games can tune in via https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5 for live video and/or stats.
 
Last Time Out: The Utica University men's basketball team led from the opening tip-off and never looked back as the team took down the Keuka College Wolves 79-69 on Saturday evening. Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) recorded his third double-double of the season and his fifth-straight 20 point performance after recording team highs with 22 points and 11 boards while finishing tied for the team lead with four assists. Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) finished one point and rebound shy of a double-double as the junior totaled nine points and rebounds each. Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) went off for 19 points and picked up seven rebounds while Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) also finished in double figures with 12 points. For Keuka, Devin Milton netted a team high 21 points while teammates Daniel Obunse and Jaden Keasey finished with double figures as well. The Pioneers opened the game on a 7-0 run before eventually extending their lead to 13 with a 28-15 advantage with 7:14 to play in the half. Utica ended up taking a 12 point lead into halftime with Brantley leading the way with 13 points followed by Morreale and Coston with eight each. As a team, Utica shot 43.2 percent from the field in the first while forcing nine Keuka turnovers. Utica led by as many as 17 points in the second half, but the Wolves wouldn't shy away. The hosts chipped away to come within nine points with 6:40 to play and then again with a minute of action left. Morreale (layup) and Coston (free-throws) went on to put the icing on the cake to secure the win. 
 
Coaches vs. Cancer Week: While Coaches vs. Cancer week around collegiate basketball is a few weeks away, the Utica University men's basketball program has jump started its fundraising page in conjunction with Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made through https://bit.ly/3YBEe8a while the link can also be found at the top of any page at uticapioneers.com. All funds raised support cancer patient programs and groundbreaking research that can help save lives. This event also celebrates over 15.5 million cancer survivors nationwide. Utica will take part in Coaches vs. Cancer week with its Suits and Sneakers Game on January 27 against Hartwick and with its Real Men Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Game on January 28 against Russell Sage College. 
 
Where we Stand: The Pioneers have had a wonderful start to the season and are tied for first in the Empire 8 standing at 9-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Utica has been an offensive powerhouse ranking first in the conference scoring 83.1 points per game. The team has shot terrific from beyond the arc shooting .344 percent and hitting an average of 7.5 three pointers a game, both rank top-three in the Empire 8. The Pioneers have been automatic from the free throw line leading the Empire 8 shooting. 757 percent as a team. Utica also ranks top-two in rebounding and turnover margin. Doing well in these two categories have led to plenty of second chance opportunities for the team and has helped them score in bunches and create leads.
 
He's Him: Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) of the Utica University men's basketball team was named Empire 8 Co-Player of the Week, as announced by the Empire 8 on Monday. It is Brantley's second Player of the Week honor of the season. The senior was the driving force offensively in a 2-0 week for the team. Brantley collected his fourth and fifth consecutive 20 point games in the team's win over St. John Fisher on Tuesday and win over Keuka College on Saturday, as well as his third double-double of the season on Saturday. For the week, Brantley averaged 21 points on 41.2 percent shooting from the floor while going 11-for-12 from the free-throw line. He also averaged nine rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while playing 35 minutes per contest. For the season Brantley is top-fifty nationally averaging 20.1 points per game and fourth in the Empire 8 averaging 8 rebounds a game.
 
Heat Check: Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) each had a terrific week helping the team earn two hard fought wins. Morreale scored six points with five rebounds and two blocks against St. John Fisher. He then turned in one of his best performances this season with 19 points, seven rebounds, and one assist against Keuka. Coston found his stroke against Fisher pouring in 15 points and seven rebounds including shooting 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. The Kerhonkson, NY native scored 12 points with 4 rebounds, two assists, and two steals against Keuka and kept his hot hand going, pouring in two three pointers.
 
About Nazareth: The No. 20 Golden Flyers are 11-1 this season and sport a 5-0 Empire 8 record which has them tied for first in the conference. The team is on an eight game winning streak and came back to beat Houghton 72-66 on Saturday. Nazareth is very balanced offensively with six players averaging more than 10 points per game. Jonathan Park leads the way averaging 15.2 points per game with 12.7 rebounds per game and 36 blocks this season. Jaylen Savage, Logan Blankenberg, and Jordan Haggard all average more than 11.5 points per game and shoot at a .395 percent from beyond the arc or better. The Golden Flyers have been lights out from beyond the arc shooting .370 percent which is first in the Empire 8 by a significant margin.
 
Scouting Elmira: The Soaring Eagles are 2-10 this season and 1-4 in Empire 8 play, ranking them in ninth place. The team dropped its last game against Hartwick 76-70 on Saturday. Bryan Adams is the primary scorer for the team as he averages 19.3 points per game. The team's second scoring option is Riley Spencer who averages 10.3 points per game and .281 percent from beyond the arc. Other notable players include Brijon Warren, Quintel Clemmons, and JJ Babcock who all average 7.9 points per game or more and 2.8 or more rebounds per game. 
 
A Look at Alfred: The Saxons are 10-3 this season and 5-1 in Empire 8 play which has them in second place in the conference. Alfred is a veteran team with four seniors averaging more than 10 points per game. Brewster Marshall is the team's top scorer averaging 14.2 points per game paired with 7.2 rebounds per game and shooting .444 percent from beyond the arc. Mike Schmidt is the team's game manager averaging 12.3 points per game with a team leading 62 assists. Adam Enders is the team's top perimeter threat shooting .381 percent from beyond the arc with over 80 attempts. Elliot Bowen is another solid big, averaging 10 points per game with 5.5 rebounds per game.
 
Up Next: After this week, Utica will head on the road for two games beginning against Houghton University on Friday, January 20.