HOUGHTON, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team defeated the Houghton University Highlanders in the team's first conference road matchup by a score of 65-59 on Friday evening.
Three Pioneers finished in double scoring figures in Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) (17pts, 5-10 FG, 1-3 #pt, 6-8 FT), Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) (14pts, 6-13 FG, 2-4 FT), and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) (13pts, 6-6 FG, 1-3 FT). Parks and Thompson paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers each hauling in seven boards, while Teague managed five. Defensively, Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) managed three steals on the evening, while Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) added a pair. Parks managed a team high three blocks, while Teague and Jeffrey Manuel (Syracuse, NY/Liverpool) each nabbed one.
Utica set the tone early, opening the game with crisp ball movement as Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) finished a layup off a Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) assist to give the Pioneers the first points of the night. The opening minutes saw both teams trade baskets, with Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) scoring inside to keep Utica narrowly in front before Houghton briefly answered with a short-lived lead. Midway through the half, turnovers fueled a Houghton run, as the Highlanders converted multiple steals into fastbreak layups to stretch the margin to six. Cain helped halt the momentum with a three, and Utica's defense began to respond before the Pioneers found rhythm offensively. A strong closing stretch featured balanced scoring, with Teague, Parks, Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School), and McCardle all contributing as Utica rattled off a decisive run. The surge turned a tight contest into a double-digit advantage, sending the Pioneers into the break with a 32–26 lead.
Utica carried its momentum into the second half, opening with back-to-back baskets from Teague and Thompson to push the lead to eight. Parks continued to control the paint on both ends, while the Pioneers kept pressure on the Houghton defense. Each time the Highlanders threatened, Utica answered with interior scoring or second-chance points. The Pioneers maintained control through the middle of the half, extending the lead to as many as ten behind efficient finishing at the rim and active defense that forced turnovers and disrupted Houghton's flow. Thompson was steady at the free-throw line late, and Utica closed the game by converting defensive stops into points, sealing a 65–59 road victory.
Utica (8-3, 1-1 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, January 10 as the team remains on the road to take on the Alfred University Saxons. Tip off from Alfred, NY is set for 4pm.
