UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team continues conference play this week. The team will take on Empire 8 Conference newcomer SUNY Geneseo on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30pm in Geneseo, NY. The team then returns home to take on the Houghton University Highlanders on Friday, January 17 at 7:30pm before taking on the Alfred University Saxons on Saturday, January 18 at 4pm.
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for Tuesday's matchup can be found here, and live stats can be found here. Live video for both weekend games can be found here, and live stats can be found here.
 
Last Time Out: Less than 24 hours after falling to their conference rival Nazareth, the Utica University men's basketball team searched for answers against another Rochester-based program in St. John Fisher. On a Saturday afternoon in Pittsford, they'd find just the answer they were looking for in Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy). Foley unleashed a flurry of scoring upon the Cardinals, amassing points in bunches and managing to rack up 34 before the contest came to a close. Foley's outburst, combined with double-figure scoring outings by Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy), Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), and Devon Flynn (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), allowed the Pioneers to respond to every single punch thrown by their Empire 8 opposition in a back-and-forth affair that presented a playoff-like feel. A united offensive attack powered by some excellent transition play and free throw shooting saw the Pioneers come away with a key 95-89 win over Fisher, securing their first conference win of the year and picking up some momentum heading into the heart of the Empire 8 schedule.
 
Foley Grail: Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) put together a solid outing last week for the Pioneers. The senior forward netted himself 62 points across three games for an average of 20.7 points per game. Foley was 20-36 from the floor across the three games for an average of 55.6 percent shooting. Foley also put together a solid effort from the free throw line, going 16-18 from the line. Across three games, Foley dished out five assists and swiped himself three steals. Against Brockport, Foley netted himself 22 points on 40 percent shooting from the floor and a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Against Brockport, Foley swiped himself two steals and tallied one block. Against St. John Fisher, Foley put together a career outing in scoring, netting himself 34 points on 68.4 percent shooting from the floor. Foley shot 40 percent from beyond the arc, going 2-5. The senior forward also dished out four assists, and swiped two steals.
 
Scouting Geneseo: Empire 8 Conference newcomer SUNY Geneseo has posted a 4-8 record this swanson and are 1-2 in conference play. Sebastian Pacheco has been the team's leading scorer, with 164 total points for an average of 13.7 points per game. Pacheco also holds the team lead in field goal percentage, shooting 49.6 percent from the floor. Pacheco has also been able to spread the wealth, holding the top spot in the assist column with 53 total assists. Pacheco also holds the team lead in steals with 35. Colin Gentile has been the team's top threat from the outside, shooting 36.8 percent from three. Gentile also holds the team lead in blocked shots with three. Robert Pericolosi has been the team's leading rebounder with 94 total rebounds. 
 
Breaking Down Houghton: The Houghton University Highlanders have posted a 7-5 record on the season and are 2-1 in conference play. Lou Bellamy has been the team's leading scorer with 218 total points for an average of 18.2 points per game. Bellamy also leads the team in shooting, shooting 51.2 percent from the floor. Bellamy has also been the team's leading rebounder, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game. Bellamy has also been a stout defender for the Highlander, recording 11 blocked shots. From outside, Christian Sage has been the team's biggest threat, shooting just under 45 percent from three. Sage has been able to spread the wealth and get the Highlander offense going, recording 44 total assists on the season. Trey Flatt has been a thorn in the side of offenses, recording a team high 19 steals. 
 
A Look at Alfred: The Alfred University Saxons have posted a 7-6 record this season and are 3-1 in conference play. Tyler Hind is the team's leading scorer with 170 total points for an average of 13.1 points per game. Hind also holds the team lead in field goal percentage after shooting 42 percent from the floor this season. Hind is also the team's leading three point shooter, shooting 38 percent from three. Hind has also been able to spread the wealth for the Saxons, dishing out 42 total assists this season. Charles Amol is the team's leading rebounder, averaging 6.8 boards per game. Amol also holds the team lead in blocks and steals, with 15 total blocked shots and 20 total steals. 

Up Next: The team continues conference play by hosting Hartwick College on Friday, January 24. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 7:30pm.