UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team fell to SUNY Poly by a score of 92-76 on Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic Center.
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) with 26 points, including five three-pointers, and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added 21 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Hagen Foley (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) contributed 18 points and three rebounds. Ben Wittman (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) was active on the boards with five rebounds and two assists, and Levi Spina (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort Schuyler) provided a defensive spark with two steals.
 
To open the contest, SUNY Poly came out strong, capitalizing on early hot shooting to build a 10-point lead within the first eight minutes. Despite this, Utica kept its composure, relying on Thompson and Call to chip away at the deficit. With 13 minutes remaining in the half, Thompson drilled back-to-back three-pointers, cutting the lead to 23-18 and forcing a SUNY Poly timeout. Call followed up with a strong drive inside, bringing Utica even closer. However, the Wildcats benefitted from a few tough whistles and lucky bounces, regaining control and extending their lead. Utica continued to battle, with Foley hitting a tough mid-range jumper and Call converting at the free-throw line to slow SUNY Poly's momentum. However, the Wildcats capitalized on second-chance points and closed the half ahead 46-33.
 
The Pioneers came out of the break with a fire, immediately going on a 7-0 run fueled by a Thompson three, a Call putback, and a Foley fastbreak layup. The game turned into a back-and-forth shooting battle, with Thompson drilling another three from deep, making it 53-46 with 13 minutes to play. Utica had all the momentum, but a foul call led to free throws for SUNY Poly, allowing them to regain their footing. The Wildcats responded with another three, but Utica refused to go away. Call bullied his way inside for a layup, and Thompson answered with a pull-up jumper, bringing the Pioneers within eight points once again. However, SUNY Poly caught fire from beyond the arc, making difficult, contested shots despite Utica's strong defensive effort. Poly's offense combined for five threes down the stretch, pushing the game just out of reach. Utica made one final push, with Thompson hitting a deep three and Call converting in the post, but SUNY Poly sealed the game with free throws and a last-minute transition bucket.
 
Utica (11-7, 5-4 Empire 8) returns to action on Friday as the team takes on the St. John Fisher Cardinals. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 7:30pm.