UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team powered past the Alfred University Saxons on Friday evening by a score of 84-76.
 
Five Pioneers finished in double scoring figures, led by Dayon Thompson with 24 points (9-15 FG, 5-7 3pt, 1-3 FT), followed Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) not far behind with 13 pts (6-10 FG, 1-3 FT). The duo of Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) (3-11 FG, 1-3 3pt, 4-4 FT) and Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School) (4-5 FG, 3-4 3pt) both chipped in 11 points and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) followed with 10 points (5-5 FG). Teague led the team in rebounds totaling eight on the evening, followed by Cain and Lord both with three. Defensively, Cain set the tone with three steals and Teague added two with Utica's perimeter pressure keeping Alfred at arm's length.
 
The Pioneers started fast, with early buckets from Teague and Parks, giving Utica its first lead of the night. Alfred answered with a pair of threes to stay close, briefly pulling even on a three point play before Thompson and Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) connected on back to back threes to swing momentum back in Utica's favor. The Pioneers pushed the advantage to double digits midway through the half courtesy of Iggy Izevbuwa's (Staten Island, NY/Port Richmond High School) inside finish. With Alfred trimming the margin to a single point late in the frame, Utica steadied itself at the line courtesy of Teague and then closed the half with momentum. Steady points in the paint from Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School), followed by back to back threes from Thompson and Cain increased the lead again to double digits with a little over a minute remaining in the half. Fueled by a fast paced offense, 53.1 percent shooting inside the arc and a spectacular 66.7 percent from deep, the Pioneers took a 44-35 lead into the locker room. 
 
Utica came out of halftime with the intent on putting the game out of reach, stretching the cushion to 14 in just over four minutes as the Pioneers heated up and continued to carve up the Saxons' defense. Layups by Thompson, Parks, Ben Wittman (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), and McCardle extended the lead to 16, giving Utica firm control of the tempo. Alfred produced one final push, trimming the deficit to six in the closing minute, thanks to four three pointers and consistent shooting at the line. Lord's consistent three's, Thompson's work in the paint and Cain's composed shooting at the line sealed the win as Utica calmly closed out and took home the 84-76 victory. 
 
Utica (16-5, 9-3 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 7 as the team honors its seniors prior to taking on Houghton University. Tip off from Miga Court inside the Clark Athletic Center is set for 3pm.