UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team closed out 2025 on a high note, defeating the RPI Engineers by a score of 82 -77 to improve to 4-0 at home this season. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) who posted a career high 32 points (12-19 FG, 5-8 3pt, 3-4 FT) followed by Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) with 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3pt). Cain also led the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with a team high of six, followed by Teague with five, and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) with four. Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) was able to make plays with a team high five assists, while leading the team defensively with five steals. Ben Wittman (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) also posted a pair of blocks. 

Both teams would keep a close game throughout the first half of the opening frame, with neither team being able to pull ahead by more than more than a possession. After taking the lead at 16-15, the momentum would swing in favor of the Pioneers, with Griffin Barasa (Clearwater, FL/Calvary Christian) landing a massive dunk, followed by a three from Thompson that would push the Pioneer to six. The Pioneer offense would fire on all cylinders with a jumper from Teague that would push the lead to double digits. The next three buckets would belong to Cain, before Parks would close the half with a tip-in sending the Pioneers to the locker room with a 41-32 lead. 

Coming out of the break, the momentum would remain in favor of the Pioneers, despite efforts to push back by the Engineers. RPI would be able to regain some of the momentum heading into the final minutes of the second half, cutting the Pioneers' lead to as little as four. With time winding down, Cain would knock down a jumper, along with a free throw, to push back into a two possession lead. The Pioneers would be able to hold on and fend off the Engineers by a final score of 82-77. 

Utica (7-2, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action in the new year, opening conference play against Russell Sage on Tuesday, January 6. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 7:30pm.