UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team is set to continue its road trip this weekend as the team takes on the Chuck Resler Tournament, hosted by University of Rochester. Game one against Springfield College is set for 1pm on Friday, November 14. Both the tournament consolation and championship games will be played on Saturday, November 15, with the consolation set to tip off at 1pm, and the championship 6pm.
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for all tournament games can be found here, and live stats here.
Last Time Out: The team took its season opener against the SUNY Delhi Broncos by a score of 80-60 on Saturday afternoon. Four Pioneers finished in double digit scoring in
Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) (18pts, 6-8 FG, 2-3 3PT, 4-8 FT),
Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) (16 pts, 6-9 FG, 4-5 3PT),
Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) (12pts, 3-5 FG, 6-8 FT), and
Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) (12pts, 5-10 FG, 2-4 FT). Parks led the Pioneers rebounding efforts with nine on the afternoon, while Teague recorded eight, and
Griffin Barasa (Clearwater, FL/Calvary Christian) nabbed four.
Ben Wittman (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), along with Cain, dished out a team high four assists, while Wittman posted a team high pair of steals. Teague continued his night with a pair of blocks.
Scouting Springfield: The Springfield College Pride fell in the team's season opener against Western New England by a score of 75-55. Leading the Pride's scoring efforts was Hunter Matteson who posted a team high 11 points on .556 shooting from the floor, while Josiah Evely followed with 10 points on .250 shooting from the floor. Matteson also led the Springfield rebounding efforts with a team high eight, while both Everly and RJ Hunter each recorded four. Zander Robinson dished out a pair of assists, while five other Pride dished out an assist apiece. Evely and Xoren Livingston each nabbed a pair of steals on the defensive side, while Zachary Campbell registered a pair of blocks. This is the first time the Pioneers will be squaring off against the Pride in program history.
A Look at Rochester: The University of Rochester Yellowjackets took their season opening matchup over SUNY Cortland by a score of 74-69. Leading the Rochester scoring efforts was both Tomiwa Adetosoye and Corvin Oprea who each netted 20 points in the season opener. Adetosoye managed to shoot .438 from the floor, while Oprea was good for .500. Oprea also led the Rochester rebounding efforts with a team high six rebounds, followed by John Mayhew and Sam Henderson with five. Aside from the scoring, Adetosoye was also able to make plays, registering a team high six assists, along with three steals. Jordan Owusu managed to register a pair of blocks. A matchup with Rochester would mark the first meeting between the two teams since 2019, where the Yellowjackets took the matchup by a score of 69-58.
Breaking Down Buff State: The Buffalo State Bengals took their season opener against fellow Empire 8 competitor Keuka College by a score of 80-73. Leading the Bengals' scoring efforts was Zee Johnson who posted 24 points on .538 shooting from the floor. Also leading the Bengals was Chisom Ani who recorded a double double with 16 points on .400 shooting from the floor and a team high 12 rebounds. Oryan DeJesus finished in double scoring with 13 points as well as dishing out a team high four assists. Hali Shabazz managed to swipe a team high four steals, while Ani posted a team high three blocks. All time against the Bengals, the Pioneers are 4-5. In last season's matchup, the Pioneers defeated the Bengals by a score of 80-63.
Up Next: The team remains on the road to take on the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs. Tip off from Morrisville, NY on Wednesday, November 19 is set for 6pm.
