BROCKPORT, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team fell to the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles by a score of 76-65 on the road Saturday afternoon.
Three Pioneers finished in double scoring figures, led by Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) (5-15 FG, 3-9 3pt, 5-5 FT) and Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) (6-16 FG, 4-10 3pt, 2-2 FT) who each totaled 18 points on the afternoon, followed by Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) with 14 (3-15 FG, 1-9 3pt, 7-8 FT). Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers, hauling in a team leading 11 boards, followed by Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) with 10, and Cain with six. Defensively, Teague and Cain both managed a pair of steals, while Parks managed three blocks and Teague tallied a pair as well.
Brockport seized control early, opening the game on a 9–0 run behind a three and a series of transition finishes. The Pioneers struggled to find rhythm offensively, misfiring on their first several attempts while the Golden Eagles capitalized in the paint and on the break to stretch the margin to 17–0. Teague finally put Utica on the board with a jumper off a feed from McCardle, but Brockport continued to answer, building the lead to as many as 21 midway through the half. Utica began to chip away behind Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) and Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee). Thompson converted a four-point play and knocked down a pair of threes in quick succession, while Cain added a triple of his own to cut the deficit to single digits late. McCardle also provided a spark, scoring inside and at the line as the Pioneers closed within five, 37–32, with just over a minute left. However, Brockport responded in the final seconds, finishing the half on a 3–0 push to take a 40–32 lead into the break.
Utica opened the second half with a jumper from Thompson to trim the lead to six, but Brockport answered with timely threes and second-chance opportunities to push the margin back to double figures. McCardle stayed aggressive, knocking down multiple three-pointers, while Teague and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) battled on the glass to generate extra possessions. A Parks tip-in and steady trips to the free-throw line from Cain helped Utica stay within striking distance midway through the half. The Pioneers mounted another surge with just under six minutes to play. Teague buried a three, and Cain converted four straight free throws to slice the deficit to 68–58. Utica continued to apply pressure, trimming the margin to nine after a Cain layup with just under 90 seconds remaining. Despite forcing a few late turnovers, the Pioneers couldn't get over the hump, as Brockport converted key baskets down the stretch to secure the 76–65 decision.
Utica (17-7, 10-5 Empire 8) closes out the regular season on Tuesday, February 17 with a crosstown showdown against SUNY Poly. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 7:30pm.
