UTICA, NY - In a matchup between two teams who advanced to the round of 32 last season's NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, the Hamilton Continentals emerged victorious, snapping their three-game losing streak to Utica. The Pioneers got down early and clawed their way back into the game all night but ultimately came up short, falling 60-54. Three-point shooting was the difference maker in this matchup as Hamilton netted nine from deep opposed to Utica's three on 20 percent shooting. 
 
For Utica, offense was provided through a balanced scoring attack. Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) notched 13 points, while Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) and Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) dropped 12 apiece. Thompson created chances for himself and others all night by beating his man to the rim. Morreale was strong on the interior, grabbing a team high nine boards and scoring frequently from close range. 
 
Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) brought the energy as he typically does with two huge dunks and hustle plays all game. He posted eight points, four rebounds, and two assists.
 
As a team, the Continentals shot 43 percent from the floor to the Pioneers' 31.3 percent. Hamilton was led by Hank Morgan who dropped 15 on 6-for-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 from deep. The visitors also recorded 11 blocks on the night. 
 
After winning the jump ball, Hamilton scored from the interior just seconds in. From there, it continued to dominate the first five minutes of play, capitalizing early off Utica turnovers, and missed shots to open an 11-2 lead. 
 
Hamilton continued to beat Utica from beyond the arc as the half progressed. A Luke Bourgault (Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute) acrobatic layup briefly stopped the bleeding, along with two strong drives to the rim by Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro). Utica found itself trailing by nine with six minutes remaining in the half. 
 
In the closing minutes of the half, the Pioneers found their stride. Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) nailed a contested three and Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) ignited the crowd with an and-one layup to bring them to within two points. The first half ultimately ended with Hamilton leading 29-28 in what was a strong display of defense for both teams. 
 
Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) paced the Utica offense through the first half, scoring eight points apiece. 
 
Utica began the second determined to get to the rim, scoring its first four field goals of the half from inside the paint. Three minutes into the second, Utica obtained its first lead of the contest after Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) drove to the dish, drawing a foul and making both free throws from the charity stripe. 
 
Both teams traded buckets in the early part of the second until Hamilton's Teja Singh poured in seven straight to re-establish a five point lead. 
 
Hamilton's lead would grow to double digits with six minutes to play. A Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) poster dunk through three defenders gave the Pioneers some life as they would shortly cut the lead to three. Despite the shift in momentum, the Continentals remained unfazed as Owen Kane would stick a three-pointer off a second chance opportunity to give them a comfortable six point lead with just over a minute remaining. He would later convert an and-one layup to put the game out of reach. 
 
Utica (6-2, 1-0 Empire 8) will travel to SUNY Cortland next weekend as the team squares off with the Red Dragons. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.