UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team is set to take on its final non-conference opponent this week, as the team takes on the Hobart College Statesmen. Tip off on Monday, December 16 from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 2pm.
Follow Along: For those unable to make it to the game, live video can be found here and live stats can be found here.
Last Time Out: Leading the charge for the Pioneers was Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), who tallied 17 points (7-14 FG, 3-4 FT) and nine rebounds while also adding two assists and a block. Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) followed up with a standout performance, contributing 16 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3PT), seven rebounds, and a block. Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) added 15 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 3PT, 5-6 FT), four rebounds, and two assists, while Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) chipped in with 11 points (4-11 FG, 1-3 3PT), five rebounds, and six assists. The Pioneers overwhelmed SUNY Delhi with their inside presence, scoring an impressive 44 points in the paint. Their defensive tenacity limited the Broncos to just 26 total rebounds and forced 11 turnovers, translating into 12 points off turnovers. The bench provided a substantial boost, chipping in 29 points led by key reserves like Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) and Ethan Rivers (Madison, NY/Madison Central), who contributed energy and pivotal scoring runs.
Pick Up The Phone: Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) has been a force as a rebounder for the Pioneers. Averaging 6.8 total rebounds per game this season, the graduate forward currently holds the team lead in total rebounds with 54. Call has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball, averaging five defensive rebounds per game. Call's defensive rebounding figures are good enough for fifth in the conference in total rebounds, fourth in total defensive rebounds, and falls just inside the top ten in the conference in total rebounding average.
The Foley Grail: Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) continues to get it done on offense for the Pioneers. Foley holds the team lead in almost every scoring category. Foley leads the team in points with 132 and averaging 16.5 points per game. In field goal percentage, 53.3 percent of Foley's shots have fallen, averaging 9.4 field goals attempted per game and 5.0 field goals made per game. From outside the arc, Foley has been dominant, averaging 4.3 three-point attempts per game, and 2.4 made three-point field goals per game. Foley leads the team in percentage from outside, with 56 percent of his shots from outside falling.
Flip the Ignition: Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and Ethan Rivers (Madison, NY/Madison Central) have been key playmakers off the bench for the Pioneers. Teague, a junior forward, has been getting it done when he has been needed the most, averaging 9.3 points per game for a total of 74 points on the season so far. Shooting 42.2 percent from the floor, Teague is averaging eight field goal attempts per game and 3.4 field goals made per game. From outside the arc, Teague is one of the top threats for the Pioneers, with 55.6 percent of his shots from outside falling. Averaging 2.3 three-point attempts per game and 1.3 made threes per game, Teague has been able to do it all when it comes to scoring. Ethan Rivers (Madison, NY/Madison Central), a sophomore guard, has played in all eight games for the Pioneers, averaging just under 13 minutes per game. In his limited time on the floor, Rivers is averaging four points per game with just under four attempted field goals and 1.5 field goals made per game.
Scouting the Statesmen: The Hobart College Statesmen have posted a 5-3 record on the season, and are 1-2 in Liberty League play. As a team, the Statesmen are averaging around 66 points per game, outsourcing its opponents by just over two points on average. The Statesmen have outrebounded opponents by just under fiver boards per game. Alex Moesch has been the team's leading scorer, averaging 11.8 points per game for a total of 94 points this season. Carter Meshanic has been the team's biggest threat from inside, averaging around nine attempted field goals per game, and just under fiver made field goals per game. Moesch has been the team's biggest threat on the outside, with over 42 percent of his attempts from the outside falling. Meshanic has been the team's leading rebounder with 68 total rebounds this season. Adian Rodgers has been able to get the offense going, dishing out 29 total assists as well as swiping 19 steals on the season.
Up Next: After the break, the Pioneers will ring in the new year by opening conference play against Empire 8 Conference newcomer SUNY Brockport at home. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center on Tuesday, January 2 is set for 7:30pm.
