DELHI, NY - The Utica University men's basketball 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. 

The Pioneers would grab the lead off the bat in the contest with a three from Cain in the first four seconds of the contest. Utica would get ahead to as many as five early before the Broncos would be able to cut the deficit to one at 7-6. The Pioneers would continue the offensive momentum, while also holding Delhi scoreless for over five minutes. From there, the Pioneers would continue to fire on all cylinders, getting out to as many as 14 in the opening frame, and the Pioneers would head into the halftime break with a 40-27 lead. 

Coming out of the break, the Pioneers would eclipse the 20 point lead mark with over half of the second frame remaining, continuing to pile the offensive pressure on the Broncos. Utica would get out to as much as 26 late in the second half, but three straight buckets by the Broncos would cut the deficit back to 20, sealing the season opening victory by a score of 80-60. 

Utica (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action on Friday, November 14 as the team takes on the Chuck Resler Tournament, hosted by University of Rochester. Tip off of game one against Springfield College is set for 1pm.