UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team put on an electrifying performance on Saturday afternoon, securing a decisive 83-62 victory over the SUNY Delhi Broncos in a non-conference showdown at the Clark Athletic Center.
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.
The game started with both teams trading early baskets, but the Pioneers quickly established control. Call opened the scoring with a smooth layup in the paint, setting the tone for the physicality Utica would bring throughout the game. Teague and Foley joined the fray, knocking down shots from beyond the arc to stretch the defense and give Utica a 12-7 lead. Utica's defense turned up the intensity, holding Delhi to just one field goal over a four-minute stretch. A deep three-pointer from McCardle capped a dominant stretch, pushing the lead to 14 with under seven minutes left in the first half. The Pioneers closed the half strong, going into the break with a 39-28 advantage, riding the hot hands of Call and Teague in the paint.
The second half began with Delhi attempting to mount a comeback, but a dagger three-pointer from Call early in the period silenced the visitors' momentum. Thompson dished a highlight-reel assist to Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) for an and-one layup, pushing the lead further. As the clock wound down, Utica's reserves played a pivotal role in maintaining the energy. Neruda Perdomo (New York, NY/Kimball Union Academy) scored a key layup in transition, and Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) added a putback to extend the lead to 20. Delhi's attempts to close the gap were met with relentless defense, including another block from Teague and steals from Foley and McCardle. The final minutes saw Utica firmly in control, with a fast-break dunk by Call serving as an exclamation point on the dominant performance.
Utica (6-2, 0-0 Empire 8) takes a short break before taking on its final non-conference opponent in Hobart College at home to close out the 2024 slate. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 2pm on Monday, December 16.
