UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team is set to open conference play with a three game week. The team will host the Russell Sage College Gators on Tuesday, January 6 with a tip off set for 7:30pm from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center. The team will then travel to take on the Houghton University Highlanders on Friday, January 9 at 7:30pm, before continuing the road trip against the Alfred University Saxons on Saturday, January 10 at 4pm. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for Tuesday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Friday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Saturday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The 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.
 
Player of the Week: Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) led the Pioneers with a dominant performance during Utica's lone contest of the week, pouring in a career-high 32 points to pace the offense in the team's final non-conference matchup at home against RPI. Cain was highly efficient from the floor, shooting 12-for-19 (.632) overall and knocking down five three-pointers on eight attempts (.625), while adding three free throws. In addition to his scoring outburst, Cain contributed across the stat sheet with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes of action. 
 
Where We Stand: With the non-conference slate coming to a close, the Pioneers find themselves in fourth place in the Empire 8 standings with a 7-2 overall record, and are tied with SUNY Poly for the best winning percentage in the conference. Despite averaging only the seventh most points in the conference per game, the Pioneers' +5.78 scoring margin ranks among the top teams in the conference. Offensively, the Pioneers have been extremely efficient, ranking third in the conference in team field goal percentage at .466, fourth in three point percentage with .373, and fourth in free throw percentage at .678. Defensively, the Pioneers have managed to allow some of the least scoring to opponents in the conference this season at 71.3 points per game, holding opponents to a .416 field goal percentage, and the third lowest three point percentage in the conference at .291. Utica has also managed to lead the conference in blocked shots with a total of 43, nearly five blocked shots per game at 4.78. Utica's 11 block outing against SUNY Potsdam ranks as the highest single game total in the conference so far this season. 
 
Scouting Sage: The Russell Sage Gators have put together an 8-1 record to open the season, posting a +8.1 scoring margin while averaging 81.7 points per game. Leading the Gators offensively is Brandon Harris and Kyle Dhu, with Harris averaging 14.9 points per game and Dhu close behind at 14.3 points per game. Pape Tunkara has also been a key contributor, averaging 13.7 points per contest while serving as the team's primary facilitator. Ben Aprilante has been Sage's most effective shooter from the floor, shooting .483 while averaging 6.8 rebounds per game, providing a steady interior presence. Kyle Dhu has been Sage's most dangerous perimeter threat, connecting at a .410 rate from three-point range, while Tunkara has also stretched defenses, shooting .424 from beyond the arc. On the glass, the Gators have been led by Aprilante and Khalel Noteman who lead the team with 6.8 and 5.7 rebounds per game, respectively. Defensively, Tunkara has added 26 steals and a team-best 31 assists, helping Sage generate transition opportunities. Jeremy Rosario, Dhu, and Harris anchor the interior defense, each contributing multiple blocks. 
 
Here's Houghton: The Houghton Highlanders enter the matchup with a 3-6 record, averaging 80.6 points per game while facing a challenging early-season schedule. Leading the Highlander offense is Lou Bellamy, who averages a team-high 20.2 points per game while also pulling down 11.3 rebounds per contest, giving Houghton a consistent inside presence. Tyson Clark and Jake Verschoyle provide a secondary scoring option at 14.3 points per game. From the floor, Houghton shoots .496 as a team, with Clark leading the way from three-point range at .520, while Donovan Loudermill has been the team's most frequent long-range threat with 14 made threes on the season. On the glass, Bellamy anchors the rebounding effort, though the Highlanders have been outpaced on the boards overall. Defensively, Loudermill leads the team with 17 steals, as Houghton looks to generate offense through pressure and perimeter activity.
 
A Look at Alfred: The Alfred Saxons have posted a 3–7 record on the season, averaging 62.4 points per game while competing in a challenging early schedule. Leading the Saxon offense is Zion Baitey, who averages a team-high 12.0 points per game, while Amoi Charles adds 11.3 points per contest in limited action. Franlys Valenzuela has also been a consistent contributor, averaging 10.6 points per game. From an efficiency standpoint, Nolan Gilbert has been Alfred's most effective shooter from the floor, connecting at a .633 rate, while Tyler Hind and Robby Hicks provide the primary perimeter volume, combining for 29 made three-pointers on the season. On the glass, Valenzuela anchors the rebounding effort with 13.6 rebounds per game, giving Alfred a strong interior presence. Defensively, the Saxons rely on activity from Baitey, who leads the team with 13 steals, while Valenzuela also contributes at the rim with four blocks.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers remain on the road, traveling to take on the Hartwick College Hawks. Tip off from Oneonta, NY on Tuesday, January 13 is set for 7:30pm.