UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team topped the Houghton University Highlanders 86-76 in the team's senior day showdown Saturday evening.
Four Pioneers scored in double digit figures, highlighted by a big night from
Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), who poured in 21 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 3pt, 2-4 FT). Dayon Thompson followed with 18 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3pt),
Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) added 14 points (7-9 FG), and
Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) chipped in 11 points (5-14 FG, 1-4 3pt). Parks dominated the glass with 18 rebounds, Cain pulled down seven, and Thompson collected four. Defensively, Cain and Teague each came up with three steals, with
Ryan McCardle (Hurley, NY/Kingston) adding two, while Parks protected the rim with three blocks, and both
Ben Wittman (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) and Teague contributed two a piece.
The Pioneers had an aggressive start,
Iggy Izevbuwa (Staten Island, NY/Port Richmond High School), in his first career start, managed to score back to back layups in the paint to keep pace with Houghton. A steal by Griffin Barassa and points from Wittman allowed the Pioneers to stay neck and neck with the Highlanders. Houghton took a brief lead shortly into the first half, leaving Utica in an eight point deficit.
Phoenix Weydig (Kenwood, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), who knocked down a pair of free throws, and Parks' work at the rim decreased the deficit by half. The Highlanders continued to fight back, but halfway through the half, the Pioneers attacked. A steal by Cain followed by a three from Thompson and a block by Teague would swing the momentum back in favor of the Pioneers, and a three from
Zyon Lord (Bronx, NY/Salisbury School) would tie it at 22 a side with just eight minutes left. Solid work in the paint, and impressive Pioneer defense left the Highlanders in a 13 point hole with just over a minute to go. Cain's three pointer and Thompson's points in the paint created a cushion, and the Pioneers walked into the locker room leading 47-36.
Coming out of the break, The Pioneers continued to fire on all cylinders, with Houghton matching almost every basket in the opening minutes of the second stanza, cutting the Pioneer lead to just five. The Highlanders tried to keep the deficit manageable, but the Pioneer defense continued to come up big. Wittman had a block and steal midway through the half, giving the Pioneers the push it needed to increase their tempo. The Pioneers were able to pull away again thanks to paint work by McCardle and Teague. Thompson's consistency beyond the arc pushed the Highlander deficit back into double digits with just over five minutes remaining. The Pioneers continued to dominate on defense, collecting steals, blocks, and controlling the defensive glass to keep Houghton at arms length. With just over a minute left in the game, Teague and Izevbuwa were sent to the line, where their composure and consistency allowed the Pioneers to come away with a 76-86 victory.
Utica (17-5, 10-3 Empire 8) returns to action on Friday February 13, to take on the SUNY Geneseo Knights. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm at the Schrader Gym in Geneseo, NY
