GENESEO, NY - The sixth seeded Utica University men's basketball team fell in the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Tournament to the third seeded SUNY Geneseo Knights by a score of 68-62 on Saturday evening. 

Four Pioneers finished in double scoring figures, with both Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) (7-13 FG, 1-6 3pt, 1-2 FT) and Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) (6-11 FG, 4-8 3pt) each pouring in 16 points, followed by Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) (6-8 FG, 2-4 FT) with 14, and Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) (6-9 FG) with 12. Parks paced the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with 10 boards, followed by Teague with seven, and Cain, Thompson, and Ben Wittman (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) with three. Defensively, Thompson led the Pioneers with four steals on the afternoon, while Cain managed a pair. Parks was active on the glass, registering a pair of blocks, while Teage posted one of his own. 

Utica stormed out of the gates with one of its most dominant opening stretches of the season, forcing turnover after turnover to build a commanding early lead. The Pioneers scored the game's first 12 points in just under three minutes, fueled entirely by defense. Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) and Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) combined for multiple steals that led directly to transition buckets, including a fastbreak layup from Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) and a thunderous dunk from Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School). Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) set the tone early in the paint, while Cain orchestrated the offense with assists on several early scores as Utica raced out to a 12–0 advantage. Geneseo finally broke through with a three, but Utica continued to control the tempo. Parks was active on the glass, converting a tip-in and finishing through contact inside. Teague added another transition finish, and Cain consistently attacked downhill as the Pioneers maintained a double-digit cushion for much of the first half. Geneseo began to settle in midway through the period, hitting timely threes to chip away at the lead. The Knights closed within four late in the half, but Utica responded. Parks delivered a powerful dunk, Teague converted inside, and Cain continued to score at the rim to push the lead back to double figures. A late three from Geneseo trimmed the margin slightly, but Parks knocked down a pair at the line in the closing seconds to send Utica into the locker room ahead 36–26.

Coming out of the break, Geneseo methodically erased the deficit, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and perimeter shooting. After cutting the lead to single digits early, the Knights used a 3-point barrage to tie the game at 40–40 and eventually take their first lead of the night midway through the half. Thompson tried to swing momentum back in Utica's favor, drilling multiple second-half threes, including a fastbreak triple that briefly put the Pioneers back in front, 48–47. He later connected again from deep to give Utica a 56–54 advantage with just over five minutes remaining. From there, the game became a back-and-forth battle. Cain buried a clutch three with 3:31 to play to give Utica a four-point edge at 61–57, but Geneseo answered on the next possession. The Knights eventually reclaimed the lead at the foul line, converting key free throws in the final two minutes. Utica had chances late, including multiple three-point attempts in the closing minute, but could not convert. Geneseo sealed the game at the stripe in the final seconds, completing the comeback and handing the Pioneers a 68–62 road setback.

Utica completes its season with an overall record of 17-9, and a conference record of 10-7. Keep an eye on Pioneer social channels and the athletic website for more information about the 2026-27 edition of Pioneer Men's Basketball.