ALFRED, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team used a 51 point second half surge to complete its comeback win over Alfred University by a score of 67-62 on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) who managed 16 points (7-15FG, 2-6 3pt), followed by Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) with 15 points (3-9 FG, 9-12 FT), and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) with 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-9 FT). Parks paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with 10 on the afternoon, while Thompson managed to haul in seven. Defensively, Griffing Barasa and Cain each swiped three steals, while Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School) contributed the team's only block.
Alfred set the tone early, opening the game with a barrage from the perimeter to build an early cushion, knocking down multiple threes in the opening minutes as Alfred jumped out to a 9–0 lead before Utica could get on the board. The Pioneers struggled to find rhythm offensively in the opening stretch, but Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School) finally broke through with a jumper at the 16:44 mark to stop the run. Despite defensive efforts from Parks and Lord inside, Alfred continued to capitalize from beyond the arc, extending the margin into double digits midway through the half. Utica chipped away at the free-throw line and inside, with Parks providing interior scoring, but Alfred's shooting kept the hosts firmly in control. A late Utica push trimmed the deficit slightly, though Alfred closed the half with another three to carry a 39–16 lead into the break.
Utica emerged with renewed energy, opening the half with baskets from Lord and Cain to spark an early run. Thompson added a three and an inside finish as the Pioneers began to apply defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and converting in transition. Alfred responded with timely perimeter shooting to maintain separation, but Utica continued to battle back behind consistent paint scoring and improved ball movement. Midway through the half, Griffin Barasa (Clearwater, FL/Calvary Christian) and Thompson combined for consecutive fastbreak buckets, cutting the deficit. Utica kept pressing, with Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) hitting a key three and Cain attacking the rim late. In the final minutes, the Pioneers completed a dramatic comeback as Cain and Thompson delivered clutch plays on both ends, and Barasa capped the rally with a fastbreak dunk to give Utica the lead. Cain sealed the win at the free-throw line in the closing seconds as Utica closed the game on a dominant run to secure a 67–62 comeback victory.
Utica (8-3, 1-1 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, January 13 as the team travels to take on the Hartwick College Hawks. Tip off from Oneonta, NY is set for 7:30pm.
