ROCHESTER, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team took home the Harold J. Brodie Classic championship Saturday afternoon by defeating the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers by a score of 73-67.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Seidina Doukoure (Bronx, NY/The Macduffie School), who recorded his first double-double as a Pioneer notching 14 points (4-4 FG, 6-8 FT) and hauling in 10 rebounds. Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) also led the Pioneers with 14 points (5-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) and hauled in eight rebounds and added three assists. Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) also put together another stellar night for Utica notching 13 points (4-11 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-4 FT) and three assists. Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) also turned in another double digit point night with 12 (4-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 3-6 FT), also tallying five boards, three assists, and two steals.
Utica would get out to an early six point lead at 10-4 after baskets from Call, Foley, Levi Spina (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort Schuyler), and Thompson. The Pioneers would be able to keep the offensive momentum going throughout the half, not allowing the Tigers to get within one basket for the entirety of the half, with a lead as much as six. Utica's lockdown defense would hold the Tigers scoreless for over three minutes at the end of the opening frame, to head into the break with a one point lead at 28-27 in the Pioneers favor.
RIT would come out of the halftime break with momentum, taking the lead from the Pioneers less than three minutes into the second stanza. RIT would get its lead up to five, but a three ball from Call would put the Pioneers back in a one possession game. Holding the Tigers scoreless in the following posesion, a jumper from inside the paint from Ethan Rivers (Madison, NY/Madison Central) would knot the score at 45. Utica would be able to get back into the lead after a layup and a three from Thompson which would grow the Utica lead back to two possessions. Utica would be able to hold onto the momentum, growing its lead to as much as 12 for the remainder of the frame and would walk away with the championship victory, 73-67.
Utica (2-0, 0-0 Empire 8) opens its home slate on Wednesday, November 13. Tip off on Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is slated for 7pm.
