GENESEO, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team fell to the SUNY Geneseo Knights by a score of 75-57 on Friday evening.
A pair of Pioneers finished in double scoring figures in Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) who paced the team with 15 points (4-12 FG, 3-8 3pt, 4-4 FT) and Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) with 11 (4-11 FG, 1-4 3pt, 2-2 FT). Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) led the Pioneer rebounding efforts with a team high nine, followed by Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School) with seven, and Cain with five. Defensively, Cain, Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), and Thompson each managed a pair of steals, while Teague and Parks each blocked a pair of shots.
Geneseo struck first, but the Pioneers answered quickly as Lord knocked down a three off a feed from Cain to give Utica an early edge. From there, the Knights leaned heavily on their interior game, combining for multiple paint touches to help Geneseo regain control. Utica stayed within striking distance behind second-chance opportunities and defensive plays from Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), who recorded multiple early blocks to keep the margin manageable. A Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) three midway through the half trimmed the deficit, but Geneseo responded with a strong run inside and in transition. The Knights pushed the lead to nine before the Pioneers found a late spark. Over the final 90 seconds of the first half, Utica forced turnovers and converted in transition. Thompson and Cain ignited the push, and a McCardle fastbreak three in the closing seconds cut the deficit to 38–33 at the break.
Out of halftime, Geneseo extended its advantage and continued perimeter shooting, stretching the margin back to double digits. Utica responded with timely buckets from Cain and Thompson, and a Jayden Larregue (Briarcliff, NY/Briarcliff) three brought the Pioneers within six at 46–40. However, each time Utica threatened, the Knights countered by hitting key threes, and maintaining a steady presence around the rim. The Pioneers continued to battle, getting contributions from Teague inside and Thompson from deep, but Geneseo's efficiency in the paint and on second-chance opportunities proved decisive. The Knights gradually rebuilt separation down the stretch, ultimately securing a 75–57 victory.
Utica (17-6, 10-4 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 14 as the team takes on SUNY Brockport. Tip off from Brockport, NY is set for 4pm.
