UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team took down the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs in a non-conference matchup by a score of 82-59 on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) who recorded 25 points (8-14 FG, 2-6 3PT, 7-7 FT), swiping six steals, two assists, and two blocks. Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) followed up Thompson with 13 points (4-9 FG, 3-7 3PT, 2-4 FT) as well as three assists and two steals. Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) led all Pioneer rebounders with 12 total rebounds and added three assists, and Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) notched himself two blocks and a steal on the day. 
 
The first half would see Utica get out to a two possession lead early courtesy of Teague, Call, and Thompson to put the Pioneers ahead early at 12-7. It would be all gas no brakes for the Pioneers, continuing the offensive onslaught and holding the Mustangs to one basket for over four minutes as the Pioneer lead would grow into double digits courtesy of Ethan Rivers (Madison, NY/Madison Central), Neruda Perdomo (New York, NY/Kimball Union Academy), Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee), and Seidina Doukoure (Bronx, NY/The Macduffie School). Utica would continue the offensive pressure and grow the lead to 14 with just over six and a half minutes left in the frame with baskets from Thompson and Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston). From there the Pioneers would play to protect the lead, and would go into the halftime break up 14 at 40-26. 
 
Coming out of the break, the Pioneer offense would become slightly stagnant, but would be reinvigorated following a three pointer from Call to bring the lead to 19 with just under four minutes gone in the second stanza. The Pioneers would continue to completely overwhelm the Mustang offense, growing the lead to as much as 28 for the remainder of the frame, allowing Utica the win by a score of 82-59. 
 
Utica (5-1, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action following the Thanksgiving break as the team will make the short trip to take on the Hamilton College Continentals on Wednesday, December 4. Tip off from Clinton, NY is set for 7pm.